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8ACO AND BIDDEFORD, 



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EARLY SETTLEMEJVTS, 



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tPtroptrCftars QSlnhtvumtntn, 



m MAINE, 



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NEW SOMERSETSHIRE AND LYGONIA. 



BT GJSORGX: FOI^SOM. 



SACOt 

PRIVTED BT ALEX. C. PirTKAK. 
1630. 








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DISTXUCT OF'HAINX, i© wit : 

District Clerk* s Office, 

^^^^^^ Be it remembered, that on the thirtieth day of April, A. 

\ ti. S. i ^* AS30, iD the fifly-fourth year of the Independence of the 

> ^^^^ > United States of- Amerioa,- George Folsom, of the said 

^ •x^^ district, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the 

right whereof he claims as pioprietor, in the words following, to wit : 

"A History of Saco and Biddeford, with notices of other Early 

Settlements, and of the Proprietary GovaroxnentS' in Maine, including 

the Provinces of New- Somerset^ire and LygdniZi. By George FoP 

som." 

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, enti- 
tled "An Act K>r the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies 
of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such 
copies, during the times therein mentioned ;" and also to an act enti- 
tled "An Act supplementary to an act entitled, 'an act for the en- 
couragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts and 
books to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times 
therein mentioned ;' and extending -the benefits thereof to the arts of 
designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints/' 

J. MUSSEY, CUrk of the District of Maine, 



^i. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The materials for the greater part of the present vol- 
ume have been gathered from unpublished and forgotten 
documents. Wherever the writer has derived aid from 
the labors of others, he has acknowledged the obligation 
by a reference to their pages. Unfortunately the settle^ 
ynents in Maine have been almost wholly neglected by 
New England historians. Until the publication of Gov. 
Sullivan's work, there was nothing found relating to thcra, 
except a few scattered notices in the earlier writers. 
The attempt of that distinguished gentleman to embody 
the history of his native District, in the midst of his nu- 
r^rous and important avocaticiis, is honorable to his me- 
mory, and merits the gratitude of the people of Maine« 
It is a. subject of regret, however, that in connection with 
so much valuable research, numerous errors of the tran- 
scriber, or the press, escaped the author, as well as 
others occasioned by a deficiency of materials, of a hasty 
examination of ancient records and documents. This 
circumstance renders the work an unsafe guide, and^leaves 
the inquirer without the means of obtaining a satisfactory 
knowledge of the early history of Maine, unless he has 
recourse to original papers. There seemed thus to ex- 
ist a necessity for presenting in the following pages a 
sketch of the old provincial jurisdictions under which the 
towns successively passed, which has accordingly been 
attempted. 

The writer gratefully acknowledges the important aid 
which he has received in the prosecution of his inquiries, 
from gentlein^n whose official situations have enabled 



i 



ir ADVERTISEBOBNT. 

them to render it. He is particularly indebted to Ed- 
ward D. Bangs, Esq. Secretary of Massachusetts ; 
Jeremiah Goodwin, Esq. Register of Deeds, and Jere- 
miah Bradburt, Esq. Clerk of the Courts, in York 
County. 

His thanks are likewise due to James Grat and Ed- 
mund Coffin, Esquires, clerks of Saco and Biddeford, 
for the friendly manner in which they have afforded ac- 
cess to the records in their possession. To various indi- 
viduals of both towns he is indiebted for the use of private 
papers, and the communication of facts, contributing tc 
the local interest of the work. 

In reference to ancient inhabitants of the towns whf 
removed from or to other parts of New England, tht 
writer has relied on the abundant information of Messrs. 
John Farmer, of Concord, N. H. and Joshua Coffin, 
of Newbury, Mass. to whom he is under great obligations 
for kindly according the assistance desired from time to 
time. 

The feelings with which the writer dismisses his hum- 
ble pages, are happily expressed in the following prelimi- 
nary passage from a work to which the remarks are cer- 
tainly far less applicable than to the present. 

"To please all sorts of readers, I know is impossible : 
he, who writes with such hopes, is a stranger to human 
nature, and will be infallibly disappointed. My design is 
rather to inform than please. He, who delights only in 
pages shining with illustrious characters, the contentions 
of armies, the rise and fall of empires, and other grand 
events, must have recourse to the great authors of anti- 
quity. A detail of the little transactions, which concern 
a colony, scant in its jurisdiction, and still struggling with 
the difficulties naturally attending its infant state, to gen- 



1 

I 

t 
ADVERTISEMENT. ▼ 



tlemen of this taste can furnish no entertainment. The 
ensuing narrative (for it deserves not the name of a his- 
tory, though for brevity's sake I have given it that title)^ 
presents us only a regular thread of simple facts ; and 
even those unembellished with reflexions, because they 
themselves suggest the proper remarks ; and most readers 
will, doubtless, be best pleased with their own.'^ 
Saco, 30 April, 1830. 




\ 



\ 



SUMMARY OF THE CHAPTERS. 



PART FIRST. 

1. Voyages of discovery. 

2. Patents from the KiDg, and the Council of Plymouth. 

3. First permanent settlements. 

4. Jurisdictions established. 

6. Notices of the Gorges ; Rich. Vines ; Robert Child. 

6. Early Clergymen. 

7. Usurpation of Mass. Bay. Government of the 

King's Commissioners. 

8. Commencement of the town records. Purchase of 

the Biddeford patent by William Phillips. 

9. Notices of the first Colonists. 

10. Ministers. — Seth Fletcher; Barnabas Chauncy; 

William Milburne. 

1 1 . Government resumed by Mass. Bay. Sale of the 

Province. 

12. First Indian War. 

13. Maj. Phillips. Brian Pendleton. Benj. Blackman. 

14. Division of Lewis and Bonython's patent. Names 

of the inhabitants. 

15. Troubles with the Indians. Chronology. 

PART SECOND. 

1. Re-settlement of the town. The name Biddeford 

adopted. Divisions of estates. 

2. Indian War. 

3. Ministers. Settlement of Rev. Samuel Willard. 

4. Settlement of Rev. Moses Morrill. Notices of the 

inhabitants. Indian troubles. 

5. Division of H. Scamman^s estate. Sir W. Peppe- 

rell. Physicians. Merchants. Mechanics. 

6. East side of the river incorporated. Setdement of 

Rev. John Fairfield. Governor Sullivan. Phy- 
sicians. Roads and Bridges. 

7. Revolutionary War. 

8. Notices of inhabitants. Religious Societies. 

9. Attorneys. Late improvements, S^. 




HISTORY 



OF 

SACO JlJVD BIDDEFORn. 



PART FIRST. 



CHAPTER i. 

The discovery of New England may be justly ascri- 
bed to Bartholomew Gosnold, an enterprising and intel- 
ligent navigator, who in the year 1602, performed a voyage 
to this part of North America, before unknown to the 
civilized world. The Cabots had indeed sailed along^ 
the whole coast of the United States as early as 1497, 
but without setting foot on any part of it.* During the 
succeeding century, the discovery of the river St. Law- 
rence, and a partial exploration of the coasts of Virginia 
and Florida, in the course of a few unsuccessful attempts 
to plant colonies in that quarter, coniiprised nearly aU that 
was contributed towards a further knowledge of North 
America. At the period of Gosnold's voyage, no per- 
manent settlement had been made by civilized nations 
north of the Spanish province of Mexico ; from Florida 
to Greenland, says an accurate writer, not one European 
family could be found.f Although the discovery of the 
- 

'"Rees' Cyclop. Art. America. tPrince N. £. Chronology. 1. 

2 



10 HISTORY OF SACO 

New world seems to have been at first duly appreciated in 
Europe, where it was proclaimed as the most remark- 
able event of the age, the North American continent was 
thus suffered to remain unoccupied, and for the most 
part unexplored, for more than a century after its existence 
was made known. 

Gosnold had sailed to Virginia in the service of Sir 
Walter Raleigh by the old and circuitous route of the 
Canary isles and the West Indies. The voyage of 1602 
was undertaken to prove that a shorter and more direct 
course to America was practicable. On the 26 March 
in that year, he set sail from Falmouth in a small vessel, 
accompanied by a few adventurers who embarked with 
the design of forming a colony in Virginia. The first land 
they discovered after a passage of seven weeks, was in 
latitude about forty three decrees north ; and is supposed 
to have been some part of Maine. It has even been 
said that they landed on our coast, but this statement is 
believed to be incorrect. Continuing their course to the 
south, they discovered the southern shore of Massachu- 
setts and disembarked on an adjacent island, called by 
them Elizabeth island, a name it retains to this day. Here 
they remained six weeks, visited the neighboring shore, 
and trafficked with the natives. The colonists made pre- 
parations for a permanent abode ; built a storehouse and 
fort, the remains of which may be still seen* ; but on 
more mature deliberation, being ill supplied with the means 
of subsistence and of defence against the natives, should 
tliey prove hostile, they relinquished this design and all 
returned to England. Beside accomplishing the chief 
object of his voyage, by marking out a course nearly 
one third shorter than that which had been hitherto pur- 
sued f, Gosnold awakened the spirit of enterprise in Eng- 
land by favorable representations of the country he had 
accidentally discovered. Several of the adventurers who 
accompanied him, after their return published glowing 
descriptions of the fertility and delightful aspect of 

' ^Belkn. Am. Biog. II. tl5. fRobcrtson's America, book IX § 29. 



AND BIDDEFOBD. }1 

these northern shores. "From the island," says one of 
them,* "we went right over to the mayne, where we stood 
a while as ravished at the beautie and dilicacy of the 
^weetnesse, besides divers cleare lakes whereof we saw 
DO end, and meadows very large and full of greene grasse, 
&c." They sowed several kinds of grain by way of ex- 
periment, which "in 14 days sprung up 9 inches." A* 
mongtbe spontaneous productions of the soil were "ground 
nuts as big as egges, as good as Potatoes, and 40 on a 
string, not two ynches under ground." 
- A country invested with so many charms, did not fail 
to captivate the imaginations of many adventurers. The 
shortness of the voyage also furnished an inducement 
to new enterprises in the same direction. Through the 
influence of Richard Hakluyt,' a clergyman of Bristol, 
already distinguished by his labors for the advancement 
of geographical knowledge, the corporation and mer- 
chants of that city engaged to fit out two vessels for the 
further discover}' of the country, which now received the 
name of North Virginia. These vessels, one of which 
was a ship of fifty tons, the other a bark of twenty six 
tons burthen, sailed from Bristol April 10, 1603, under 
the command of Martin Pring, who took for his pilot a 
roao that had been with Gosnold the year before. Early in 
June they arrived on the coast of Alaine, called by the 
Datives Mavoshen, and harbored among the islands of 
Penobscot bay. Thence sailing towards the south and 
passing all the islands as far as the western part of Casco 
bay, they soon after entered four inlets which are thus 
described in the journal of the voyage : 

"The most easterly was barred at the mouth, but hav- 
ing passed over the bar we ran up it for five miles, and 
for a certain space found very good depth. Commg 
out again as we sailed southwest, we lighted on two other 
inlets, which we found to pierce not far into the land* 
The fourth and most westerly was the best, which we 
rowed up ten or twelve miles. In all these places we 
found no people, but signs of fires where they had been."f 

Vohn Brierton. Smith's Siji^M. \^t i^JrtlhlafvLl^U- 



13 HISTORY OF SACO 

From this brief description Dr. Belknap infers, that 
"the easternmost of the four inlets which they entered, 
was the mouth of the river Saco. The two next were 
Kennebunk and York rivers, and the westernmost and best 
was the Pascataqua." "The reason," he adds, "of their 
finding no people, was that the natives were at that sea- 
son (June) fishing at the falls of the rivers ; and the vesti- 
ges of fires at or near the mouths of the rivers, marked 
the places where they had resided and taken fish in the 
earlier months of spring."* We can see no good cause 
to doubt the accuracy of this opinion, and are thus en- 
abled to assign the date of the discovery of the Saco to 
the year 1603. Capt. Pring continued his course to the 
southern part of Massachusetts, following the track of Gos- 
nold, where having laden his vessels with sassafras and 
furs, he returned to England after an absence of six 
months. 

A second voyage, more particularly directed to the 
coast of Mavoshen or Maine, was performed by this "un- 
derstanding gentleman," as Pring is styled by a writer of 
that period, in the year 1606, under the patronage of 
Chief Justice Popham. The journal of this voyage ap- 
pears not to have been published ; an omission which we 
the more regret, as Sir F. Gorges says, that a perfect dis- 
covery was then made of all the rivers and harbors on 
our coast, and the most exact account of it brought that 
he had ever received. 

A geographical outline of this eastern territory, for 
which the materials were obtained from the Journals of 
these and other early visits to the shores of Maine, was 
drawn up by Mr. Hakluyt, and published by Samuel Pur- 
chas in his great work, entitled "Purchas his Pilgrims, or 
Relations of the World," &c. The chapter containing 
it, is headed, "A Description of the country of Mavooshen, 
discovered by the English in the years 1G02, 3, 5, 6, 7, 
8, and 9." 

"Mavooshen,'' says this writer, "is a countrey lying to 
the North and by East of Virginia between the degrees of 

""Belkn. Am. B^og. H. 1^. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 13 

43 and 45.^ It is fortie leagues broad, and fiftie in 
length, lying in breadth East and West, and in length North 
and South. It is bordered on the East side with a coun- 
trey the people whereof they call Tarrantines; on the 
West with Epistoman, on the North with a great wood 
called Senaglecouna, and on the South with the nnayne 
ocean sea and many Islands. In Mavooshen it seemeth 
there are nine Rivers," &ic. The most western of these 
rivers is thus described : "Seven daies journey to the 
South west of Ashamahaga there is another river that is 
sixe fathoms to the entrance : This river is named the 
Shawakotoc, and is halfe a mile broad ; it runneth into 
the lande fiftie daies journey, but foure daies from the 
entrance it is so narrow, that the Trees growing on each 
side doe so crosse with their boughs and bodies on the 
other as it is permitted not by any means to pass with 
boates that way ; for which cause the Inhabitants that on 
any occasion are to travel to the head, are forced to go 
by land, taking their way upon the West side. At the 
end of this River, there is a Lake of foure daies journey 
long and two daies broad, wherein are two Hands. To 
the North West foure daies journey from this Lake, at 
the Head of this River Shawnkotoc, there is a small 
province which they call Crokemago, wherein is one 
towne. This is the Westernmost river of the Dominions 
of Bashabez."f 

Such, was the most accurate account of our river pos- 
sessed by the English geographers at that period. The 
small extent of a day's journey may be estimated from 
the distance thus computed between the Jlponeg^ (Sheep- 
scot,) and the Sagadehock, which is called three days' 
journey, but is only about twelve miles. No Euro- 
pean, probably, had yet explored the country far be- 
yond the mouths of the principal rivers, and the informa- 
tion of navigators . respecting their sources and extent, 
must have been derived from the inexact descriptions of 
the natives. The supreme sachem who governed the 
country of Mavoshen, and bore the title of Bashaba, is 



*The sea-coast of Maine is comprehended almost exactly within 
these huaits. tPurchas. lib. X. c. 6. Third EdiUon priated 1617. 

3* 



/ 



I 



14 HISTORY OF S^ACO 

repeatedly noticed by the first voyagers to this coast, and 
is said to have resided near the Penobscot. The subor- 
dinate chiefs, somewhat like the feudal barons, exercised 
a separate authority over their respective tribes. The 
province of Crokemago, probably, included the famous 
tribe of the Pequawkets whose principal town, known to 
have been of great antiquity, occupied nearly the site of 
Fryebnrg. The large ponds in that vicinity were doubt- 
less considered by them the sources of the Saco ; one of 
which, the upper Kezar, principally in the town of Lov- 
ell, is about 15 miles in length, and from one to two 
miles in breadth, and contains two or three islands. The 
principal branch of the Saco, the Great Ossippee, termi- 
nates in a small lake ; on this river, also, was seated a con- 
siderable Indian village.* 

A name similar to that in the preceding extract, was 
applied to our river by the celebrated Capt. Smith, who 
examined the coast from Penobscot westward in 1614, 
and two years after published a description of the country 
under the general name of New England. After de- 
scribing the Kennebec, Smith proceeds : "Westward of 
this river is the country of Aucocisco (Casco) in the bot- 
tom of a large deep bay, full of many great isles, whicb 
divide it into miny good harbors. Sawocotuck is ihe^ 
next, in the edge of a larj^e sandy bay, which hath many 
rocks and isles, but few good harbors except for barks, 
(that) I yet know."f Omitting the last syllable of this 
word, which was doubtless done for the sake of brevity, 
we have nearly the present name of the river. Smith 
drew a mapof N.England, with the Indian names of rivers, 
islands, &c. and presented it to Prince, afterwards King, 
Charles, who at his request substituted English names in 
their stead. A few only of these were adopted by the 
inhabitants, when the country was settled. The name 
of Ipswich was bestowed on the Saco, but there is no 
reason to suppose it was ever used^ The Kennebec 
was called Edinboro^ ; Agamenticus river, Boston, &;c. J 

-^Sullivan. 228. tSrnith's Virginia. 11. 193. 

tibid. 11. 177. There was a small tribe of Indians within the^ 
colony of Plymouth called Sawcaiuckets. They lived in the west* 
cm part of Jiarwicii. -Mats. Hist. Cull. I. 197. Prince. ()3. 



AND ' BIDDEFORD. 1 5 

It can scarcely be a subject of regret that the aboriginal 
names have been retained in so many instances; Al- 
though often not remarkably euphonious, they serve to 
keep alive the memory of the former possessors of the 
soil, of whom so few vestiges remain. The deep feeling 
of interest excited by the unhappy fate of the powerful 
tribes, once inhabiting the banks of our rivers and lakes, 
is impressed on whatever survives the wreck of their for- 
tunes, if it be only a name. 

The French were somewhat behind the English in 
making voyages of discovery to the American conti- 
nent* In 1524, John Verazzano, an Italian, in the ser- 
vice of the king of France, sailed along the coast Irom 
Florida to Liabrador, and ^ve to the whole extent of ter- 
ritory the name of New France. Notwithstanding the 
discovery of the Cabots nearly thirty years previous, this 
■ navigator was regarded as having given to France a title 
to the greater part of North America, as the original dis- 
coverer. But it was not until early in the following cen- 
tury, that a permanent settlement was commenced by peo- 
ple of that nation on the shores of the new world. In 
1603 the Sieur de Monts received a commission from his 
sovereign for the government of New France. His juris- 
diction extended from the 40th to the 4Gth degree of 
north latitude. In the following year, De Monts arrived 
on the coast of Nova Scotia, then called Cadie or Aca- 
die,* accompanied by Samuel de Champlain, who had 
ascended the St. Lawrence the year before and obtain- 
ed much information respecting the country. A small set- 
tlement was made on the island St. Croix, where they 
passed the winter, and the next season changed their loca- 
tion to Port Royal, now Annapolis, N. S. 

In the meantime, De Monts and Champlain explor- 
ed the coast toward tlie south for the purpose of select- 
ing suitable places to establish colonies. The following 

*In Latin Cadia or Acadia. This word is generally supposed to 
be borrowed fnm the Arcadia of the Greeks, as Douglas, Brit. Am. 
derives it. But it is a different word, even with the initial a, which 
it oflen wants. Bein^ at first restricted in its application, it was pro- 
bably oF Indian origin, as is Pesmo-cadie, the French orthography for 
Passamaquoddy. AH New France was- oflen termed Aca(ue. 



16 HISTORY OP SACO 

passage from the volume published by the latter descrip- 
tive of this voyage, it is confidently believed, refers to 
Saco river* and the islands near its entrance. 

"Having left the Kennebec, we ran along the coast to 
the westward, and cast anchor under a small island near 
the main land where we saw twenty or more natives. I 
here visited an island beautifully clothed with a fine 
growth of forest trees, particularly of the oak and wal- 
nut, and overspread with vines that in their season produce 
excellent grapes ; the first I had seen since leaving Cape 
de la Heve, (N. S.) We named it the island of Bac- 
chus. At high water we weighed anchor, and ran up a 
small river, barred at its mouth. There is but half a 
fathom of water on the bar at low tide, and about nine, 
sometimes twelve feet at high tide ; within there is a 
depth of four, five and six fathoms. As soon as we had 
cast anchor, a number of Indians appeared on the banks 
of the river and began to dance. Their chief was not 
among them ; he came two or three hours after with 
two canoes, and took a turn around our ship. This 
river is called by the natives Chouacoet."f 

No settlement was made by the French at that time 
west of the river St. Croix. As late as 1613, they 
were not found beyond that limit except on the isl- 
and of Monts Deserts, now Mount Desert, where two 
priests of the order of Jesuits had gathered a few adven- 
turers in 1609. It is not a little remarkable that with all 
the country before them, the French should have fixed 
tlie seat of their jurisdiction so far north as Nova Scotia. 
Their title to that part of the territory of New France 
was not less defective than to a more southern position. 
The English regarded them as trespassers at Port Royal, 
and measures were taken for their removal in 161 3. J 

*Belk Am. B'log, II. 149. t Pronounced nearly, Shtear'co, Les 
Voyages de Sieur de Champlain, Liv. ii. c. 3. 

tBelkn. Am. Biog. I. 340 11.52. Sullivan, Hist. Maine, p. 170, 
says that "soon after Popham's party left the river (Kennebec) in 
1008, the French took possession of it," and refers us to Hubbard as 
an authority for the statement ; but it finds no support in that author. 
Hist. N. B. 15. Ind. Narrative. 28G. Hubbard says, however, that 
Argal found French settled at Penobscot 1613, and is followed in Ab« 



AND BIDDEFORD. 17 

TITbe claim of the latter people, founded on the discov- 
ery of the Cabots, extended from Newfoundland to Flori- 

^ da, and after various vicissitudes was ultimately sustained. 
There are no definite accounts of voyages to this part 
of America by navigators of any other nation, unless we 
except Hudson in the service of the Dutch, who sailed 
along our coast towards the south in 1609, when he dis- 
covered the noble river that now bears his name. After 
that year the Dutch frequented the American coast, and 
established a trading house near where Albany stands as 
early as 1614*. A geographical work of high reputation, 
written in the Latin language and published soon after that 
period at Leyden, comprises, probably, all the informa- 
tion relating to the new world gathered by the early 
navigators of that and other nations. The author, John 
del«aet, was a director of the Dutch East India Company, 
and distinguished for his scientific as well as geographical 
knowledge. In the account of Cadia or Acadia, (for 
the word is thus differently spelled in this work,) the 
writer has twice described the Saco under its French and 
English naa>es. The first account, of which we subjoin 
a plain version, was chiefly derived from Champlain, with 
some additions ; the other is an exact translation of Smith. 
. "Four leagues south of the Kennebec," says this writer, 
"following the direction of the coast, there is a bay con- 
taining in its bosom a large number of islands, from which 
are seen the lofty summits of mountains on the main 
land.f Eight leagues beyond, the river Chouacoet opens 
io lat. 43 deg. 45 min. having several islands near its en- 
trance,one of which was called by the French navigators the 



bot and White's Hist. Belfast. 16. But Charlevoix, the historian of 
New France, tome I. liv. iii. does not authorize even this statement ; 
nor is it supported by Prince, N. V, Chronol. 37 ; or Belknap, Am^ 
Biog. art. Argal ; or Holmes, -Am. Annals,, I. 178. 

It is probable enough that Sullivan was led into the error of suppos- 
ing the French settled at Kennebec, by the foilowing passage of 
Pnnce, 25 : '*Upon the colony's (Popham's) breaking up, the French 
settle themselves within our limits." This doubtless refers to the 
settlement on Monts Deserts in 1609, and to the continued encroach- 
ments of that people on the Acadian peninsula. 

•Smith's Hist, of N. York. 14. tCasco bay and the White mouor 
\A\ns.. 




18 HISTOUT OF SACO 

island of Bacchus and by our countrymen Wiingaerden 
Eylandt, (Vineyard Island,) from the great abundance 
of vines found growing there. It is two leagues distant 
from the main ; is agreeable to the eye from the fine ap- 
pearance of the oaks and walnut trees with which it is 
stocked, and offers a good soil for cultivation. The river 
at its mouth is not of great depth, being not more than two 
fathoms at high water, but within it is three or four fath- 
oms, and is well stored with fish. The land near the river 
is fertile, presenting to view either open plains, or groves 
of lofty firs, beeches and elms. The barbarians that in- 
habit here, are in some respects unlike the other abori- 
gines of New France, differing from them both in lan- 
fjuage and manners. They shave their heads from the 
orehead to the crown, but suffer the hair to grow on the 
other side, confining it in knots, and interweaving feathers 
of various colors. They paint their faces red or black ; 
are well formed, and arm themselves with spears, clubs, 
bows and arrows, which for the want of iron they point 
with the tail of a crustaceous animnl, called signoc* 
They cultivate the soil in a different manner from the In- 
dians who live east of them ; they plant maize (Indian 
com) and striped beans together, so that the stalks of the 
former answer the purpose of poles for the vines to 
run upon. Their fields are enclosed and kept free from 
bushes ; they plant in May and harvest in September. 
Walnut trees grow here, but inferior to ours ; vines are 
abundant, and it is said by the French, that the grapes 
gathered in July, make good wine. The natives also 
raise pumpkins,f and tobacco. They have permanent 
places of abode, not roving about like other savages. 
Their cabins are covered with oak-bark, and are de- 
fended from the attacks of enemies by a wall of palis- 
adoes."f 

It is quite possible that De Laet supposed the Choua- 
coet of the French, and the Sawocotuck of the English, 
to be separate streams ; an error into which he was 

*The Horst-skoe. Monoculus pulyphemas. f Not indigrenous, but 
introduced at a very early period. Nultall. 
tNovus Orbis, (New World,) &c. Ub. ii. c. 19. See Appen. A. 



, AND BIDDEFOBB* 19 

mor& likely to fall from the briefand less flattering descrip- 
tioo of Smith. Indeed, the whole coast of Maine was 
represented by the latter as dreary and desolate. *^It 
is a countrey rather to affright than delight one," says 
he, "and how to describe a more plaine spectacle of deso- 
lation or more barren, 1 know not." The French adven- 
turers, on the other hand, described the eastern country 
in very agreeable terms, imparting to its numerous islands, 
rivers and bays, a gay and picturesque coloring, not wholly 
faociful at certain brief periods of the year, when the ^n 
rugged features of our nortliern shores are clothed with a 
verdure and beauty unrivalled in more genial climes. 
The delineations of Smith, it must be acknowledged, 
however, are more faithful to the general aspect of the 
coast. It is but fair to add the sequel of the remarks of 
this celebrated traveller, in which he discovers no want 
of penetration. *^Yet are those rocky isles," continues 
iie, ^'so furnished with good woods, springs, fruits, fowl 
and fish, that it makes me think, though the coast be 
rocky and thus affrightable, the vallies and plains and 
interior parts may well notwithstanding be very fertile."* 

'Smith's Virginia. First published 1616. Capt. Smith arrived at 
Monheagan, April, 1614, with two ships. This island hail been a 
lesort for fishermen since 1(508. Smith made it the centre of his 
operations daring the summer. "Whilst the sailors fished, myself 
with eight others ranged the coast in a small boat. We got for tri- 
fles near 11000 beaver skins, 100 martins and as many otters, and the 
most of them within the distance of 20. leagues. We ranged the 
coast both east and west much further,'* p. 17d. He returned to Eng- 
land in September ; beside the furs, they carried home 47000 'dnr 
and eore fish,' made at Monheagan. A tradinghouse was aflerwards 
established on this island, but was broken up 1626, when the goods 
being ofier»d for sale, ^vov. Bradford and Mr. Winslow of the iVew 
Ptymouth colony, and Mr. Thompson of Pascataqua, went thither 
mod purchased them. The moiety of the Plymouth planters amoun- 
ted to £400. Prince. 161. The island was sold that year by Mr. 
Jennings, of Plymouth, Eng. to the future Peniaquid patentees, 
and continued to be a fiiTorite resort for fishermen. Sull. 392. 




20 HfSTO&r OF SACO 



CHAPTER 11. 

Ths unfortunate termination of Sir Walter Raleigh^s 
attempts to colonize Virginia during the reign ofQueeim 
ElJKabeth, had effectually checked the spirit of enter-** 
prise in England in relation to the settlement of America* 
The discoveries of Gosnold and Pring, and the short-* 
ness of their voyages, now caused the subject to be re- 
vived, and to excite more general interest than had be- 
fore existed. On the petition of a number of gentleraen, 
a charter was granted by king James in the year 1606, 
dividing the country into two districts, called North and 
South Virginia, and authorizing the establishment of 
separate colonies in each district by two distinct com* 
pnnies. A right of property in the land fifty miles ofi 
each side of their first plantations, and extending one hun- 
dred miles into the interior, was granted by this patent. 
The first or Southern colony were allowed to settle any 
part of the country within the degrees of 34 and 41 north 
latitude ; the second, consisting chiefly of persons resi^- 
<lent at Plymouth and other towns in the west of England, 
and thence denominated the Plymcnith Company, were 
allowed to choose a place of settlement between 38 and 
45 degrees north latitude. As a considerable portion 
of the territory thus allotted was common to the two dis- 
tricts, a provision was added, that the colony last planted 
should not approach within one hundred miles of that al- 
ready established.^ 

The next year colonies were sent out by the two com- 
panies. One was fixed at Jamestown, of which Gosnold 
^was the prime mover,' and Capt. Smith an active mem- 
ber ; the other was established at Sagadehock, or the 
mouth of the Kennebec, led by Captains George Pop- 
ham, brother to the Chief Justice, and Raleigh Gilbert. 
This colony consisted of 108 menf ; whether accom- 

''Hazard 8 Sute Papers. 1. 50. tSmith's Virginia. 11. 174. The 
southern colony consisted of about the same number. Gosnold died 
the first year, Aug. 22. The Pilgrim Colony of 1620, comprised only 
41 men ; the rest of their numlwr (60) being women and children. 
A*. E, Memorud* 38. 



AtfD BtDDEFOBD. St 

pabied by their families, we are not informed. Tbef 
tnrived on the coast near the island of Monheagan, a few 
leagues east of the Kennebec, in tbe month of August, and 
soon after entered the mouth of that river, where on the 
eastern side, on an island now forming a part of Geoi^e- 
town,* they commenced preparations (or a permanent 
^ement widiout delay. Monheagan was agreed 
upon as a place of rendezvous for tbe ships before leav- 
i^ England,f and although we are not directly told that 
Ibedestioationof the colony was determined before their 
mival, there is no doubt of the fact. The great patron 
of the enterprise, Chief Justice Popham, we have already 
Ken, obtained an accurate survey of the coast the year 
before, and doubtless selected the mouth of that ''fair 
md navigable river," as the Kennebec is styled by Smith, 
18 a favorable location for tbe seat of the colony. 

The lateness of the season scarcely allowed the colo- 
nists time to erect a fort and the necessary places of 
dielter before the approach of winter, which proved ex- 
cessively rieorous. More than half their number returned 
vith the ships to Englimd in December, in consequence 
of the severity of the cold and the scantiness of their 
(applies. Soon after those who remained bad the mis- 
fcrtune to lose the greater part of their buildings • and 
stores by fire. Capt. Popham died in the course of the 
winter, and an arrival in the spring brought news of the 
death of the Chief Justice. Raleigh Gilbert, who suc-^ 
ceeded Popham as president of the Colony, was under 
the necessity of returning to England on account of the 
decease of lib brother, oi which intelligence was received 
i^ toother arrival, and the colonists discouraged by so 
vaaaxy adverse circumstances, resolved to abandon the 
country and return with him. Thus in less than one 
year from tbe time the settlement was commenced, the 



'CaHecl Parker's island, containing 28000 acres. Mass. Hist. Coll. 
lS&I. '^Deeoription of Georgetown.*' Prince supposes they landed 
ra the peninsula of Cape Small Point, on the western side of the 
riyer. Belknap says a peninsula. Biog. i. 350. Sullivan, 15.53. sup- 
poaed Stage island was the spot, which contains only six acres. We 
ibllow the intelligent local authority cited above. 

(Gorges. 



22 HiaroBT or siso 

northern colony was broken up ; the country was ^e» 
nounced as uninhabitable, and no further attempts wers 
made for many years to promote its settlement by the 
Company to whom it was assigned by the patent of King 
James. 

Sir Ferdinando Grorges, a conspicuous member of the 
Plymouth Company, alone remained undiscour^ged. The 
attention of this gentleman appears to have been first 
turned to this part of America in the year 1605, when 
Capt. Weymouth arrived in the harbor of . Plymouth 
where he resided, on his return from a vojrage for the dis- 
covery of the northwest passage. Falling short of his 
Course, Wejrmoutb had accidentally discovered the river 
Penobscot, from whence he carried to England five of 
the natives, ^'three of whom," says Gorses, "I seized 
upon ; they were all of one natbn, but of several parts 
and several families. This accident must be acknowl- 
edged the means under God of putting on foot and giv- 
ing life to all our plantations." He retained these ki- 
dians in his family three years, and obtained from dbem 
much information respecting their native shores ; they 
were afterwards sent hack. Gorges henceforward took a 
deep interest in schemes for the settlement of North Vir- 
ginia, and was rather chagrined than discouraged by the 
return of the Sagadebock colonists, and the unfavorable 
reports which they spread concerning the country. "He 
had too much experience in the world," be said, "to be 
frighted with such a blast, as knowing many great king* 
doms and large territories more nortberlv seated and 
by many degrees colder, were plentifully inhabited, and 
divers of them stored with no better commodities than 
these afibrded, if like industry, art and labor be used." 
Unable, however, to persuade the Company to undertake 
the planting of a second colony. Gorges engaged in pri- 
vate enterprises to this coast, which began to be much 
resorted to by English ships for purposes of trade with 
the natives, and of fishing. In the year 1616,* he sent 
hither a party commandeid by Richard Vines, for the 

*Prince, N. £. Chronol. S& 






AND BlBDEf OBD. 33 

express object of exploring the country with a view to 
form a settlement. He contracted with them to remam 
during the winter, with the hope of removing the preju- 
dice excited by the Sagadehock colonists against the 
character of the climate. 

They arrived during the prevalence of a destructive 
disease among the natives, which spread throughout New 
England, commencing its ravages in the west. This pes* 
tiJence is noticed by all the writers on the early histoiy 
of New England, with some difference of opinion as to 
the precise year of its occurrence. A late and highly 
respectable writer supposes it to have prevailed in difier- 
ent places at dilSerent times, but a few years previous to 
the arrival of the Plymouth pilgrims.* It was regu'ded 
by those pious colonists as a special interposntion of di- 
vine providence in their favor, so great was the havoc it 
made among the tribes in that quarter. 'Thus,' says old 
IMorton, 'God made way for his people by removing the 
heathen and planting them in the land.' 

Mr. Vines and his companicms penetrated into the in- 
teiicM-, visiting the Indians in their villages and wigwams, 
t?bo received them with great kindness and hospiiality» 
Beside the ravaees of sickness, they were at tint time 
thrown into confusion by the death of the Bashaba or 
chief sachem, whom the Tarrantines, living east of the 
Penobscot, had attacked by surprise and destroyed with 
his family the preceding year. Great dissensions had 
immediately followed among the diffisrent tribes, who 
were engaged in a destructive war with each other when 
the pestilence made its appearance.f In the midst of 
these evils, the Englishmen passed with safety among 
them, and slept in their cabins without suffering from the 
contagion. They were in particular welcomed by the 
savages whom they bad seen in the family of Gorges at 
Plymouth, and now met in their native homes. Having 
visited different parts of the coast, this litde party pre- 
pared to establish themselves for the winter. The spot 



—i* 



• Jndge DttYif *8 edit, of Jf, Z MemociiOi. (t8S8.) p. 68. note, 
t Gorget' Hiiitoc|., 



'M HISTOBT OF SAOO 

which they selected for their abode, we have ream 
8up(X)se, was at the mouth of Saco river, on the we: 
side, near the capacious and sheltered basin now c 
the Pool, but in early times known as Winter Ha 
This interesting fact depends on the following staten 

The place chosen at that time by Mr. Vines fo 
location of a colony, was at the mouth of this rii 
where one was planted some years after under his d 
tion. He was probably led to make this choice b< 
winter, and he would naturally establish himself di 
that season on the spot selected for a permanent at 
In support of this reasonable supposition, we have 
tradition of the inhabitants of that part of Biddeford, 
an English vessel wintered in the Fool before the s< 
ment of the country, and that the shelter thus afib 
gave rise to the name of Winter Harbor. The folio 
passage of the history of Gorges, adds stronger confi 
tion. ^'Col. Fra. Norton and Capt. Wm. Gorges 
over (in 1623) with divers workmen . for the buildii 
mills, houses, and all things, necessary for the settle 
of our designs," (an establisliment at Agamenticus, 
York.) "And we had the more hope of a happy suc< 
of these afiairs, by reason that not far from that | 
there had been settled some years before Mr. Ric 
Vines, a servant (or agent) of his, (Sir F. Gorges 
whose care and diligence he had formerly made i 
- trial in his affiiirs."f 

It appears from this extract, that Norton and G< 

' were encouraged in their design of settling at Agan 

cus by the fact that Vines had found the country be 

ble in the neighborhood of that river. It is not prei 

ed, nor is there the slightest reason to suppose, tha 

*Dr. Bdlknap, Biog. 1. 377, says : *'lt has been before observe 
. Qorgen had seat over R. Vines with some others on a discoyc 
prepare the waj for a colony. The place which Vines pitched 
was at the moath of Saco river." 
tTheae gentlemen had a ^rant of 24000 acres of land on both si 
Affamenticus now York nver, as is stated by Gorges. SuIIiv 
S37, says, erroneously, the earliest ^rant in York was 1642. Tt 
venerable Judg;e Sewall wrote a brief account of York, publisl 
1 Mass'. Hist. CoU. iii. 6-12| but does not mention this early i 
jnent. It was probably of short duration. 



\. 



iKm BiDDEFOBiy. 36 

tMtpcMry setdemenf was made at any other place dian 
at the mouth of the Saco. 

Vines performed several voyages to onr coast in the 
Benrice of Gorges, and it is probable made Winter Har- 
bor his principal resort* VFhile he was occupied in ex- 
ploritig the country and tradinr with the natives, his men 
veere engaged in fishing. How long he pursued this 
course, we are not informed, nor do we find him men- 
doned again until several years after his early residence 
at Winter EEarlx^. 

A separate charter was obtamed by the Plymouth Com- 
pany in t^O, enlarging their powers and giving wider 
linnitsto their jurisdiction. The vast territory extending 
Knom the 40th to the 48th degree of north latitude, and 
from sea to sea, was placed at the disposal and under 
fthegovemment of the company, now shrled the Council 
ef iTjrmouth. Forty noblemen and gentlemen are named 
in that instrument as composing ^Hhe Council, established 
■It Plymouth in Devonshire, for the planting, ruling and 
governing of New England in America."* The right 
aif property in the land was thus transferred from the 
asrown to toe Council, by whom grants of unequal magni- 
WnAe were made at various times throughout New Eng- 
land. A degree of coniiision rests on some of their acts, 
■krifling in a great measure from their imperfect knowl- 
i«dge of the geography of the country.f The earliest 
t of the Council including a part ot Maine, was made 
1622 to Sir F. Gorges and John Mason, two of their 
aaamber, extending from the Merrimac to the Kennebec, 
"aaider the name of Laconia.| The next year these pa- 
^tentees with other adventurers sent out Efavid Thomp- 
son, Edward and William Hilton, to form a settlement on 
the Pascataqua* The grant received by Col. Norton and 
Capt. W. Gorges, already noticed, was under that ofLa- 
^MNiia. In 1629^ Mason took out a new patent for that por- 
tion of Laconia west of the Pascataqjua^ which he named 
New Hampshire, learaig the remainder with Gorges. In 
the meantime, however, the Council proceeded to make 

— ■■ ■ ■ " ■■■► 

*Huard*B State Pftpert. L 103. tSolUvm on Land Titlea^ 9e. 
tBelknM'0 N. H. 1. 14. 

3* 



26 nsTosr or waco 

new grants of the easfero part of Laconia as if no former 
one still existed. 

Among these were two patents of lands on Saco rirer. 
The Biddeford patent, as we may now term it, conveyed 
•to John Oldham and Richard Vines, a tract of land lying 
between Cape Elizabeth and Cape Porpoise, on the south 
side of the river Swanckadocke, (as the Saco is strange- 
ly denominated by the Council,^ containing in breadth by 
the sea four miles, and eight miies up into the main land. 
These are nearly the present bounds of Biddeford. The 
other patent conveyed a tract of the same extent on the 
opposite side of the river, to Thomas Lewis and Capt. 
Kichard Bonython.* The Kmits of Sacoare at present 
somewhat less than those of the patent, as will be shown 
in another place. The former of these instruments, was 
copied into the records of the Province of Maine, July 
' 19, 1643. The latter was not recorded until April 5, 
1731. t They are both dated February 12, 1629, old 
style, equivalent to Feb. 1 , 1630. At that period the com- 
mencement of the year was reckoned from March 25^ a 
practice that continued more ot less to the following cen* 
tury. But it was not uncommon, to prevent mistakes, to 
write a double date for a day coming between Jan. 1. and 
March 25. Thus the date of the patents would be 
more easily understood, had the year been written 1629- 
30. The alteration of the day of the month is rendered 
necessary by the change introduced into the calendar, 
iamiliar to all, termed the new style. 

The same year the grant called the Plough PateiUi 
and forming the Province of Lygonia, waa made by ttie 
Council.| It was intended to. embrace a territory forty 
miles square, but fell short of that extent, as appears 
from the limits actually assigned to it. It was bounded 
on the east by Cape Elizabeth, ot Casco, and on the west 

9 

*Prohotinc«d as if written Bofdgh*ton. 

tS^e Appendix B, for oopiei of these patents. The ori|pnal pareh- 
ment, rehttiBg; to the eastern side of the river, has been broajj^ht to 
light irince tne commencement of these enquiries, and deposited in 
.i& archives of the Maine Historical Society, at Brunswick. It was 
in the posseraioo pf Mr. Benj. Patterson. 

^Hubbard's Ind. Mar. F^rt. 2. p. 9. first edition. 



AMD Bn>DETOBD« 37 

Jape Porpoise, a distance of about thirty miles on 
;ea coast, and extended forty miles into the interior, 
patents on Saco river were thus included within the 
ids of this grant ; this is the more remarkable as they 
) made the same year. The names of the grantees 
»corded by Hubbard, are John Dy, Thomas Impe, 
;e Harding and John Roach of London ; to which 
▼an adds from a manuscript of uncertain authority, 
I Smith and Bryan Brincks. Several of these gen- 
en are supposed by Sullivan to have resided within the 
s of their patent. *'ln the year 1 630," says the manu- 
»t, as quoted by our historian, *' Bryan Brincks, John 
b and others went into New England and settled 
laelves in Casco Bay, near unto the south side of the 
Sagadehock, and laid out several sums of money 
3, made laws and constitutions, &c. for the governing 
Province."* It is hardly possible that all this could 
one by the proprietors of the Plough patent without 
ing some traces of their operations among the ancient 
rds of Maine. But not the slightest vesUge has been 
d relating to any such transactions, and as the author 
date of the manuscript are not given and were pro- 
f unknown, its statements are liable to be questioned. 
Ivan himself acknowledges Hhere never was a person 
be name of Brincks inhabiting' in tnis quarter, but 
further, that ^there have ever been persons of the 
es of Smith and Dyer on the south side of Saco riv- 
and he takes them to be descendants of the suppo- 
patentees Smith and Dy. There was, indeed, a John 
th at Saco 1636, who was living 1685, at the age of 
nty three years.f As he was but eighteen years old 
a the patent was granted, it cannot be rationally sup- 
d that he was associated with the patentees in a erant 
ctensive. There is besides no notice, however slight, 
he had any interest in the Plough patent, in the re- 
s of that period. Admitting the gratuitous change 
>y to Dyer, the latter name does not occur in the 
> records until more than fifty years after the date 

le patent. 

■ — _,_^_^-^-__^.^^.^__^ 

'Sullivan. 311. tCourt Records. 



38 HISTORT or SACO 

The following passage of W inthrop's Journal is suppoMMl 
to relate to this subject. '^Julj 6, 1631. A small ship of 
sixty tons arrived at Nantasket, Mr. Graves master. She 
brought ten passengers from London. They came with 
t patent to Sagadehocki but not liking the place, they 
came hither. Their ship drew ten feet, and went op to 
Watertown, but ran on ground twice by the way. These 
were the company called Husbandmen, and their ship 
called the Plough.'' It was afterwards added : ''Most of 
them proved Familists and vanished away." The Fami- 
Ksts were a fanatical sect. It is plain enough, that 
whoever came in this vessel, and whether they entered 
Saco river, as Sullivan supposes, or the Kennebec, as is 
quite probable, they did not remaiii in this part of the 
country. They were probably a band of adventurers, 
sent out by the grantees of the Plough patent, but the 
appearance of the eastern country not equalling their ex- 
pectations, they preferred to shape their course in another 
direction. This supposition is supported by Hubbard, 
who states that the patentees 'Hook in as a partner, Mr. 
Richard Dummer* of Newbury, N. England, in the year 
1638^ to whom they delivered the patent,with an order fron» 
diem to take tip the land described therein, but he be- 
ing denied opportunity to elSect it, as also a ship formerly 
sent for that end not accomplishing their desire," be. j 
in consequence of these difficulties, they sold the patent 
soon after to Alexander Rigby, Esq. of Lancashire. The 
date of this transfer is stated by Sdlivan to be April 7, 
1643. At that period it seems to have assumed the name 
of the Province of Lygonia, when it became the sourise 
of much contention, as will be shown hereafter. It is a 
subject of regret that more definite information does not 



*This gentleman came to N. England 1632, when he was admitted 
freeman. Winthrop ii. 363. He was one of Uie first settlers of New- 
bitfy, Mass. where he owned a Inge estate. He was *eqiiaUy rioh 
and beneToUnt.' Lieut. Gov. Dammer was one of his descendants. 
Cushinf's Hist, of Newboryport, p. 66. Eliot's Bieg. Diet The 
date of nis aniTal is inoorrecujr given Irjr these writers, as it appears 
from the record of his admission to the nghts of a freeman. 

tHuhbard's Nar. Part 2. pp. 9-10. Edition of 1677. Snllivan, 
Savure, and other writers take notice of a mistaka in Hubbard, Umes 
ibr l^nes. It is not found in the old e^tioa. 



AND BIBDErOBD. 29 

exist relating to the original graptees of this extensive 
patent : had they actually come to take possession them* 
selves, we should doubtless know more about them. 

There were two odier grants by the Council in this 
vicinity, one of which conveyed to Robert Trelawney and 
Aloses Goodyear of Plymouth, Eng. merchants, a tract 
of land extending from the mouth of a small stream call- 
ed Spurwink river, on the line between the towns of Scar- 
borough and Cape Elizabeth, fifteen miles into the inter- 
ior, thence crossing eastwardly to Presumpscot river and 
so down to the sea.* Portland and several other towns 
are situated within the limits of this patent. 

The other was small, consisting of only 1 500 acres, 
situated between the Spurwink and Black Point rivers, 
in the eastern part of Scarborough, including Black 
Point, of which Cant. Thomas Cammock, a nephew of 
the Earl of WarwicK, was sole patentee. Stratton's isl- 
ands, one of which is now called Bluff island, were in- 
cluded in this grant. These patents were both made in 
the year 1631.f 

The colony of New Plymouth obtained a grant of 
eastern lands at this period, situated on the Kennebec and 
Cobbisseecontee rivers, to enable them to trade in th^t 
quarter. This patent was originally procured in 1628, 
but was enlarged and confirmed Jan. 13, 1629-304 

Farther east was the Pema(]mid grant of 12000 acres, 
to Robert Aid worth and Giles Elbridge, of Bristol, Eng. 
made in the year 1631.[| 

Finally, there was the Muscongus, or, as it has been 
since called, the Waldo patent, between the Penobscot 
and the Muscongus, extending ten leagues into the in- 
terior, granted March 13, 1629-30, to John Beauchamp 
of London, and Thomas Leveret of Boston, En^.<^ 

No other grants were made by the Council in mis part 
of N. England. Some of these were the subjects of 

long and angry contentions, owing in part to the indefi- 

III. I * I. ■ I . , , I , 

*The Spnrwink is laid down on a map of N. England, published 
irith C. Mather's Hist. N. E. 1702, as larger than the Saco • 

tCourt Records. Sullivan , p. 1^, says 5000 acres, but we follow 
the records. The errors of Sullivan respecting Trelawney's grant 
are too numerous to be pointed out here The }rincipa1 one is in 
aoaking Rigbj the grantor, p. 115, et passim. 

♦Prince. N. E. Chron. 172. 196. ||Hazard Coll. I. 315. § Ibid. 1. 304. 



so HI8T0R7 OF 8ACO 

nite terms used in describing their limits, and to the 
gleet of the early proprietors to enter upon and mark oat 
the bounds of their lands. This is particularly true of 
the Cobbisseecontee and Muscongus patents, so long the 
fruitful sources of controversy. 



CHAPTER IIL 



On the twenty fifth day of June, 1630, Richard Vines 
took legal possession of the land granted him in conjunc- 
tion with John Oldham on the south west side of Saco 
river. This ceremony was performed in the presence of 
Mr. Isaac Allerton, Capt. Thomas Wiggen, Mr. Thomas 
Purchase, Capt. Nathaniel Waters, Capt. John Wright, 
and Mr. Stephen Reekes, mariner. The three last named 
tvere without doubt attached to the vessels in which Mr. 
Vines and a number of colonists with their families, had 
recently arrived. The others are well known in the early 
history of New England. Mr. Allerton was a gentleman 
of some note in the colony of New Plymouth, of which 
he was an original member. We learn from several 
sources, that having been sent to England on public busi- 
ness, he returned m the spring of 1 630. The ship io 
which Mr. Allerton took passage, the Lyon, Capt. Wil- 
liam Pierce, master, sailed from Bristol, Eng. for Penob- 
scot with the agent of the Muscongus patentees, accom- 
panied by four or five men, who were about to establish 
a tradinghouse at the mouth of the former river.* When 
Gov. Truithrop and the other principal Massachusetts 
colonists arrived at Salem, June 12, the same summer, the 
Lyon was at anchor in the harbor of that place : "about 
an hour after," says Winthrop, <^Mr. Allerton came aboard 
us in a shallop as he was sailing to Pemaquid." In the 
course of this trip to the eastward, he was enabled to be 
present at the delivery of possession to Mr. Vines. Mr. 

*MaM. Hilt. Coll. id. 70. 72. Prince. 203. note.. 



AHertofi was again at SaM the fofUowing year, arriviiig in 
Ibe ship White Angel od bis return from another voyage 
to England.''^ He appears to have been concerned in 
the tradinghouse at Penobscot, and in another at Macbiasi 
which was destroyed 1633.f The last notice we find 
of him in this quarter, is in a note from Thomas Mayhew 
to Mr. Vines, dated Medford, 20 May, 1636, in which 
the writer says he has engaged a quantity of stores *'to 
go by Mr. Allerton."| Mr. AUerton afterwards remov* 
ed from New Plymouth, probably to New Haven, Conn, 
where he seems to have been living in 1653.<^ 

Capt.. Thomas Wiggen, another of the persons who 
witnessed the possessory act of our patentee, was an a* 
gent of the upper plantation on the Pascatuqua. He 
probably came to N^ England this year, when the settle- 
ments on that river received great accessions. Capt. 
Wiggw resided at Dover for many years, and during the 
anion of New Hampshire with Massachusetts, be became 
one of the Assistants of the Colony. He held this of* 
fice fnxn 1650 to 1664,|| by virtue of which we find him 
preaiding fit a term of the court at York 1659. 

Mr.. Thomas Purchase was settled at a very early pe« 
fiod at Pegypscott, now Brunswick. Some account of 
bira.wiH be given in anOtbej; place. 

Tlie attorneys of the Coupcil for the delivery of pos- 
fassion, were the Rev. William BJackstooe, of Shaw- 
nuit, afterwards Boston ; Willjam Jefferie?, an old planter 
of uncertain ajbode,T aad Edward Hilton of Pascataqua. 
It ^bes not- appear whicb of tbejse gentkupen executed 
ib^ .trust assigned ;to thepi. 

The patentees go the qajstevyi fiide of the river arrived 
|be following year. Qn the 38th of June, 1631, Mr. 

*WinUirop. 1. 57. tN. £. Memorial. 393. f Court Records. Thos. 
Ifaybew is stated to haTo Uved at. Watqrtown, ae a merchant. In 
1641, he was appointed Governor of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard 
and the adjacent islands, when he removed to Martha's Vineyard, 
and became a distinguished benefitetor to the Indians. Gooiin. 1 
Mass. Hist Coll. i. S02. 

SWinthrop. 1. 25. note. ||N. H. Hist. Coll. ii. 907. 

VThe Editor of Winthrop sajs he was a person of some distine- 
ttoo, settled probably at Wtgrmovthj M«ss. before 1G26. 1. 138. note. 



SS HI8T0BT Of BACO' 

Lewis entered upon this grant in the presence' of Mr. 
Wiggen, James Parker, H^enry Watts, and George Vau- 
ghan of Pascataqua. Edward Hilton acted as the at- 
torney of the Council. 

Thus commenced the first permanent settlements on 
this river. What number of colonists accompanied the 
patentees, we are not informed ; no record of their names 
occurs until 1636. It appears from the tenor of the pat* 
ents, that they had stipulated to transport fifty persons to 
their respective grants Uo plant and inhahit there,' within 
seven years. This condition was probably fulfilled, at 
least by Mr. Vines, on whose patent the inhabitants have 
ever been more numerous until within a few years. His 
associate, Mr. John Oldham, appears to have taken no 
interest in the patent. We find no trace of his having 
been at any time within its limits. The name of Saco 
was used at that period to include the settlements on both 
sides of the river, and continued to be so employed for 
nearly a century. An agreement relative to ''the setting 
forward the enterprise of clapboard making,^' between 
"Peyton Cooke of Saco, Gent, and Mr. Richard WiK* 
iiams likewise of Saco," bears date Jan. 27, 1635. 

That part of Vines's patent situated below the moutb 
of the river, had previously received the name of Winter 
Harbor, as we have reason to suppose, which it has borne 
to this day, and the whole settlement was often so termed. 
In a list of the inhabitants dated 1653, we find them dis-i 
tinguished as living in East and West Saco.* 

The following document furnishes the bames of the 
principal colonists and their relative standing, a few years 
only after the setdement began. "1636, 7 ber (Septem* 
ber) 7 : The booke of rates for the minister, to be paide 
uarterly, the first payment to begin at Michaelmas next 
Sept. 29.) 

Capt. Richard Bonython £S 
Richard Vines 3 

Thomas Lewis- 3 

Henry Boade 2 



I 



^mmtm 



^Mu8. state Records 



Ain> BIDDEFOBO. 38 

JobD Wadlow £2 

Thomas Williams 2 

Robert Sankey 1 10 

Theophilus Davis 1 10 

George Frost 1 10 

Clement Greenway 1 
John Parker 1 

John Smith 1 

Samuel Andrews 1 

William Scadlock 1 

Robert Morgan 15 

Henry Warwick 1' 

Richard Hitchcock 10 

Thomas Page 1 

Ambrose Berry 1 

Henry Watts 1 10 

Richard Fox well 1 10." 

To these names we add the following, derived from 
other sources: Francis Robinson, Aithur Mackworth, 
Peyton Cooke, Richard Williams, John West, Thomas 
Wise, Stephen Batson, John Baylie, Thomas Cole, John 
Wotten, James Cole, John Bonython, Morgan Howell, 
Arthur Browne, George Jewell, and Peter Hogg, servant 
of Mr. Greenway. Several of these persons removed to 
Casco before 1636. There were probably others here at 
the same date, whose names occur a few years later. 

The colonists chiefly settled near the sea along the 
iiorthem margin of the Pool, where Mr. Vines passed 
the winter of 1616-7. Andrews and Scadlock were on 
the west near Little River, and T. Williams and West on 
the other side of the principal settlement, the latter above 
the mouth of Saco river. The traces of ancient habita- 
tions may be still seen in all these places. One spot near 
the head of the Pool, deserves to be more particularly 
noticed. A point of land makes out here, long known 
u Leighton's point, on which, it is said, a court-house 
stood in the infancy of the settlements in Maine. What- 
ever degree of credit we attach to this tradition, it is plain 
enou8;h that a considerable number of the first inhabitants 
dwelt near this spot. Several cellars, now filled up and 

4 



S4 atSTORT or saco 

overgrown with antiquated shrubbery, are yet discerni- 
ble ; the mouths of two or three wells may also be seen. 
Apple-trees rotten with age, and the English cherry, 
grow here in the midst of oaks and sumachs. Tradition 
marks out this deserted spot as the seat of the earliest set- 
tlement. It is now buried in the most perfect solitude. 
Here we may safely suppose Richard Vines passed that 
memorable winter when there was scarcely a civilized be- 
ing in any other part of New England, and afterwards 
resided in the midst of his little colony. 

A small number only of the planters settled on the 
eastern side of the river, now so much more populous 
than the other. Beside the patentees with their families, 
Foxwell, Watts, Warwick, perhaps Greenway, are all of 
those named in the book of rates, who appear to have 
pitched on this side. The two former were located at 
Blue-point, near the eastern limit of the patent, and when 
the line was accurately run, they were found to be without 
this limit. The right of Foxwell to his extensive farm at 
that place, is recited in an action brought by him againal 
Capt. Caramock 1640 ; he declares, "that he hath f(sr 
these four years or thereabouts lived at Black-point in tbe 
right of Capt. R. Bonython, bis father in law, who setr 
tied him tliere and gave him as much freedom and privi* 
lege as by virtue of his patent be could, either for plantings 
fishing, fowling, or the like, which was the main cause m 
his settling there." Blue-point is near the mouth of 
Scarboro' river, on the south-western side, opposite Black* 
point or Front's Neck. The plantations on both sides of 
the stream were embraced under the name of Black-point 

The house of Capt. Bonython stood on the left bapEik of 
(he Saco, a short distance below the falls. The remain 
of the rellar may be still seen, in the field owned by James 
Gray, Esq. a few rods east of the meetinghouse of the 
Second nrish. In ploughing this piece of ground about 
seventy years ago, several articles of domestic use, suck 
as spoons, candlesticks, inc. of an antique fashion, wen 
t urned up, supposed to have been buried in the ruins of 
the house, which was burned by the Indians 1675. 

The early decease of Mr. Lewis, renders it difficult to 
ascertain with precision where he fixed bis abode ; vari- 



'v 



Aim BIDDEFORIK 8& 

• 

otts circumstances, however, lead us to suppose be lived 
in the k)wer part of the patent, not far from the river* 
His son in law, James Gibbins, who appears to have set* 
tied on Vine's patent 1642, where he purchased land 
^late the property of Henrv Boade,' after his marriage 
femoved to the patent of Mr. Lewis, and probablv occi>- 

C'ed the bouse, as he inherited the estate of his (ather ill 
w. Gibbins is known to have dwelt a short distance a- 
bove the lower ferry. 

The employments of the colonists were chiefly agricid* 
ture, fishing, and trade with the natives. Most of tfaein 
combined these pursuits, and were styled husbandmen 
or planters.* There were several mechanics among 
tbera. John Smith was a carpenter. R. Williams, the 
^pboard-cleaver,' was engaged in extensive business. 
At bis death 1635, be had on hand clapboards of the 
▼able of £164 8 4, a large amount in those days. Bv 
the agreement before referred to, Mr. Cooke having ui- 
vanced £30 10 6, sterling money of England, towards 
the undertakbg, was to have *Hwo full men's shares of all 
Mcb clapboards as shall be made, or begun to be made 
apon Mr. Vines bis patent in Saco by the latter end of 
June next ensuing, according to the number of personsi 
always respecting their quality and labor, who shall labor 
therein, he the said Peyton being at the charges only of 
two laborers for wages and dyett as shall be esteemed 
reasonable; the said charges to be deducted out of the 
profetts arrising out of said clapboards, beginning said 
charges 23 Oct. last, (1634,) and continuing during said 
kborers finishing the same. Likewise said sum £30 10 6 
lo be repaid to said Peyton on finishing said clapboards 
within the time above specified &c." 

The husbandmen took up tracts of 100 acres, of which 
ibey received leases on nominal or small rents, fi'om Mr. 
-Vioes. Some of these are now on record. An estate 
that Itad been in the possession of Thomas Cole, includ- 
ing 'a numsion or dwellinghouse,' was leased by Mr. Vines 



*^Soine a,re planters iind fishery both, others mere fishei^." Joc.0- 



36 BISTORT OF SACO 

to John West for the term of 1000 years, for the annaal 
rent of two shillings and one capon, a previous considera- 
tion having been paid by West. The lease, which is 
partly in the latin language, was executed 1638.* Another 
deed from Vines requires the lessee to yield and pay an 
acknowledgement and rent-charge of 5^., two days' work, 
and one fat goose yearly. In this manner were all the 
planters rendered tenants to the proprietor, none of them 
holding their estates in fee simple, as the term is now un- 
derstood. The stock of these early farmers, being at 
first for the most part imported from England, was pro- 
bably not very extensive. The ship White Angel, already 
noticed as arriving here 1631, brought a cargo of ^'cdWs, 
goats, and hogs," but they were chiefly intended for the 
colonies of New Plymouth and Massachusetts. Mr. 
John Jocelyn, who was in this part of the country in 1638, 
and again in 1663, says the farms were well stocked 
witb cattle, but be probably refers to the period of his 
second visit. 

Fishing was the most common occupation, as it wais 
both easy and proBtable to barter the products of this 
business for corn from Virginia, and other stores from Eng- 
land. The trade with the planters of Massachusetts soon 
became considerable. In 1636, Mr. Vines bad a con- 
signment of bread and beef from that quarter. Jocelyii 
remarks that 'Winter Harbor is a noted place for fishers ; 
here they have many stages.' He describes the mode 
of pursuing this business in the following manner : '*Thf 
fishermen take yearly on the coast many hundred quintals 
of cod, hake, haddock, pollock, &c. and dry them at their 
stages, making three voyages in a year. They mak9 
merchantable and refuse 6sh, which they sell to Massacbuf* 
setts merchants ; the first for 32 ryals {$4) per quintal ^ 
the refuse for 9 and 10 shillings ($2, and 2,25.) Th9 
merchant sends the first to Lisbon,Bilboa, Marseilles, Bo»r 
deaux, Toulon, and other cities of France ;to Canaries 
pipestaves and clapboards ; the refuse fish to the W. In^ 
dies for the negroes. To every shallop belong four fish-t* 

*See a copy of it. Appendix C« 



f 



etmerij ai master or steersman, a roidsbipman, and a shore 
man who washes it out of the sah, and dries it upon hur^ 
dles pitched upon stakes breast high, and tends their cook-^ 
cry. They often get in one voyage 8 or 9 barrels a sharer 
per man. The merchant buys of the planters beef, pork^ 
peas, wheat, indian corn, and sells it to the fishermen." 

niie expense of each planter to provision himself was 
quite smalJ, if we may judge from an estimate furnished by 
Mr. Jocetyn for the information of proposed emigrants. 
A similar estimate had been previously made by Capt. 
Smith with reference to Virginia.* "Victuals to last one 
roan a year ; 8 bushels of meal, £2 : two bushels of pea?, 
6 shillings : two bushels of oatmeal, 9 shillings : one gal^- 
Ion of aqua vitae, (brandy,^ 2$, 6d. : one gallon of oil 
3*. 6rf. : two gallons of vmegar, S^.*' Total £3 3», 
equivalent to ^14. 

A considerable traffic was carried on with the natives 
by many of the planters, some of them visiting remote 
parts of the coast, or travelling into the interior for this 
purpose. English and French goods were bartered for 
raluable furs, particularly beaver. A man named JeiN 
kins, is said by Winthrop to have gone,in 1632, from Cape 
Porpoise, in company with an Indian, up into the country 
whb goods to truck, or trade, where he was killed, and his 
goods stolen, while he was sleeping in a wigwam. The 
goods were recovered by the chief, and sent back.f The 
rars obtained in the trade with the natives, were dispol&ed 
of to the European vessels that frequented the coast, or 
at some of the few tradinghouses established in this quar- 
ter by the western colonies, and English merchants. The 
greatest resort in our vicinity for these objects, at the pe- 
riod referred to, was Richmond's island, now a part of the 
town of Cape EXzabeth. A man named Waher Bag- 
paO traded there with one other person, in 1631, but hav- 
ing incurred the resentment of the Indians by unjust deal- 
ings witb tbenr, a party of the latter fell upon him and 
his companion^ who wa8> probably a native, murdered 
them, plundered the goods and set fire to the buildings. 



liMMMMMMhAM* 



•Tniwls. ii. 96. fJonrDal i. 89. 
4* 



4 



38 HISTORY OF SACO 

Winthrop rates the value of the goods at £400. This 
took place in the fall of 1631 : Bagnall bad lived on the 
Island alone (as to whiteinen) three' years.* This dar- 
ing outrage was revenged in a summary manner more 
than a year afterwards, by a party from the westward, 
that had been to Pemaquid in pursuit of pirates ; on 
their return, landing on Richmond's island, they found 
there Black William, a chief of the Saugus or Lynn In- 
dians, who was suspected of being concerned in the Bag- 
nall affair, and hanged him on the spot.f 

The Casco patent of Trelawney and Goodyear, de- 
scribed above, included this island. Those gentlemen 
did not come over, but sent as their agent and associate, 
Mr. John Winter, to whom Mr. Vines, the attorney of 
the Council, delivered possession of the premises July 21, 
1632. Mr. Winter established himself on Richmond's 
island, and made that spot the scene of extensive com- 
mercial operations for nearly fifteen years. The island 
is accurately described by Jocelyn, as distant four miles 
from Black-point, one mile from Spurwink, three miles 
in circumference, and having a passable and gravelly ford 
on the north side between the main and the sea. J! Mr. 
Jocelyn at the period of his first voyage, passed a year 
with his brother, Henry Jocelyn, Esq. at Black-point. He 
had thus the means of becoming well acquainted with the 
principal inhabitants in this quarter. Mr. Winter, be 
says, is a grave, discreet man, and employs sixty men 
upon the design of fishing. Jocelyn notices a bark of 
300 tons burthen that was spoken by the ship in which he 
came to New England, ^Moaded with island wine, bound 
for Richmond's island, fitted out by Mr. Trelawney of 
Plymouth." This was in 1638. From another source 
we learn that the bark Richmond sailed from that island 
in 1639, doubtless the same vessel. Three other ships 
belonging to Mr. Trelawney, were employed in voyages 

. *^JoQ?iial.l. 69, ea tibid. I 99. Lewis, Hist, of Lynn. 43. The 
beaiitifol frootispieee of this work, represents Black William sellitlg 
Nidiant to a planter for a suit of clothes. 

|The name of John Richmond occurs in the court records 1696-7. 
His servant is spoken of. He bad (Perhaps lived on the island«nd oe- 
cojiioned its name. 




.4 



AND BIDDEFORD. 39 

to Richmond's island at that period, viz. the Hercules, 
the Margery, and the Agnes. The former sailed thence 
1641, the Margery the year following, the Hercules a- 
gain 1643. We team from a statement drawn up 1648, 
that by the terms of agreement between Trelawney and 
Winter, 'Hhe full government of the plantation was whol- 
ly committed^ to the latter, and that he received for bis 
services one tenth part of the patent, the same propor- 
tion of all things in the plantation and profits that should 
arise, and £40 per annum in money. 

Jocelyn speaks of the enormous profits made by the 
Massachusetts merchants, in this part of the country, who 
kept '^here and there fair magazines stored with English 
. goods." "If they do not gain," he says, "cent, per cent, 
they cry out they are losers." Similar complaints were 
brought against &Ir. Winter by our planters. At the court 
of 1640, he was presented by the grand jury for extor- 
tion. "Imprimis," say they, "we do present Mr. John 
Winter of Richmond's island, for that Thomas Wise of 
Casco hath declared upon his oath that he paid unto Mr. 
John Winter a noble (6«. Sd.) for a gallon of aqua vitae 
about two months since, and further he declareth that the 
said Mr. Winter bought of Mr. George Luxton, when 
he was last in Casco bay, a bogshed of aqua vitae for 
£7 sterling, about nine months since."* 

The article had thus afforded the merchant a profit of 
200 per cent., reckoning sixty three gallons to the hogs- 
head. . This might be justly considered extortionate. 
^'Mr. John West being one of the grand inquest, declared 
that he bought by William Cutts of Mr. John Winter a 
()otle of aqua vitae at 2$, per quart, and one paire of 
greigh stockins at 2s. and shot at 4d, the pound, for which 
be paid by the said William Cutts in beaver at 6«. the 
pound, being good skinn beaver which he himself took at 
8f* the pound. Richard Tucker being one of the greate 



*Mr. JoGelyn returned to Eiiffland 1639, with Capt Lnzton in the 
Fellowship, 170 tons, of Biddeford, in Devonshire. <*Seyeral of my 
friends (he writes) came to bid me farewell, among others Captain 
Thomas Wamerton (of Pascataqna,) who drank to me a pint of kill- 
devUf alias Rhum, at a draught.- ^. 26. 




40 HISTORY OF SACO 

inquest declareth, that Thomas Wise of Casco coming 
from Richmond's island, and having bought of Mr. John 
Winter a flaggott of liquor, aqua vitae, for which he paid 
him as he said a noble, asking myself and petitioner if we 
would be pleased to accept of a cupp of noble liquor^'** &c. 
After the death of Mr. Winter, which took place about 
1646,^ the establishment on the island was broken up. 
On the opposite shore, near the mouth of the small river 
Spurwinky a few individuals were settled before Winter's 
arrival. The famous George Cleaves was one of them, 
who contested the title of Trelawney and Goodyear to 
that part of their patent, in an action of trespass on the 
case, brought at the June term of the court of 1640 a- 
gainst their agent. *'An action of interruption" was en- 
tered at the same time. "Mr. Abraham Short (of Pem- 
aquid) and Mr. Thomas Williams became special bail to 
the plaintiff in £1000, that the defendant shall appear to 
both these actions at a court to be holden here (at Saco) 
8 Sept. next. The plaintiff here declares in both ac- 
tions, and the defendant is ordered by the court to bring 
in his answers unto Richard Vines, Esq. at or before Aug.. 
25, and the defendant is ordered likewise to put in his re« 
plies at or before Sept. 1 next." From the declaration 
of Cleaves in one of these cases, we learn that Capt. 
Waher Neal, an agent of Mason and Gorges on the Pas- 
cataqua, had put Richard Bradshaw in possession of a 
considerable tract at Spurwink, who soon after sold to 
Richard Tucker. Capt. Neal first came to New Eng- 
land 1630,f and Cleaves the same year took up a lot of 
hind containing 2000 acres at Spurwink, by virtue of a 

Promise made to him in England, as he declared, by Sir 
^ Gorges, who encouraged his coming over. Finding 
Tucker settled there, Cleaves entered into partnership 
with him ; they joined their titles and agreed to build and 
plant together. This connexion had existed about two 
jFearsy when^ Wijciter appeared with the patent of Trelaw* 
aey and Goodyear, and succeeded in obtaining possesion. 



88. Habbard. N. £. 316. '^ 



AND BlDD£FORD« 41 

Winter in this case pleaded the graDt of the Council, and 
denied the validity of a verbal promise ; Capt. Neal, he al- 
so stated, had no power then to dispose of lands in this part 
of the province, but only at Pascataqua. The jury, of 
which Richard Foxwell was foreman, found for the plain- 
tiff, Cleaves, the house and four acres adjoinins it, X80 
damages, and costs of court. The court gave judgment 
oof this verdict, except Vines, who dissented. 

At the same term, there was a suit between the same 
parties for ''a neck of land called by the Indians Machi- 
gooy, beginning at a point opposite Hog island and run- 
oiag west," on which ^'Cleaves and Tucker had planted 
lor divers years," having removed thither soon after the 
arrival of v^inter. This neck of land is now the site of 
Portland. Cleaves recovered by pleading a proclama- 
tion of King James, "granting 150 acres of land to any 
subject of his who should transport himself at his own 
charge to America, and the same for every person he 
should carry thither; and that ''finding this tract unoccu- 
pied, he had taken possession of it, and had retained pos- 
session now seven years." The whole tract which Mr. 
Cleaves claimed and recovered, comprised 1500 acres, 
extending some way into the country. Other planters 
established themselves about Casco bay at the same time, 
among whom were Mackworth, Robinson, Cooke, Wise 
and Browne, from the number of our colonists. 

Capt. Thomas Cammock first settled on the eastern 
bank of the Pascataqua, where he obtained a grant of 
land from Grorges 2 June, 1 633. It was conveyed to him 
by Walter Neale, who styled himself "Governor of the 
colonies to be planted within the precincts of Gorges, 
Mason, and their associates." Three years after, Cam- 
inock sold this tract ^extending half way to Agamenticus 
nver' to James Treworgy (Truewortby). Winthrop men- 
tions his arrival at Boston Oct. 18, 1632, in Capt. NeaPs 
pitinace from Pascataqua, with Mr. Godfrey, merchant, 
(afterwards governor of a part of Maine.) "They 
brought," says Winthrop, "16 hogsheads of corn to 
the mill."* The Black-point patent dated Nov. 1, 1631, 

. *I. 90. Belknap adds, *'there was no mill at Pascataqoa at that 
♦loie," Hist. N. H. i. 25. 



r 



42 HIStORT OF SACO 

has the following clause : ^'Consideriog that for two jean 
past be has inhabited in New England, and built conven- ^ 
ient housings and spent several sums of money in th6 
more ample discovery of the coasts and harbors of those 
parts," &c. Reference is here made withor.t doubt to 
Cammock's operations at Pascataqua. His grant on that 
river was 'in consideration of his expence, and ehargi 
and desertful endeavor.' The precise year of Cammock*^ 
removal to the seat of his patent, is not known. Mr. 
Jocelyn first came over 1634,* in the interest of Masoa; 
with the intention of settling at the upper plantation oft 
the Pascataqua, but on the death of that gentleman id 
1635, he removed to Biack-point.f Capt. Cammock 
died on a voyage to the West Indies 1643, having be^ 
queathed his estate at Black-point to his friend Jocelyn, 
reserving 500 acres to his wife. Cammock's house stood 
on the Neck, probably occupying nearly the same spot on 
which one of his successors in that property, Timothy 
Prout, Esq. built an elegant mansion in the succeeding 
century. Mr. Jocelyn married the relict of the paten* 
tee, and continued to reside at Black-point during man} 
years, taking an active and conspicuous part in the afiain 
of the Provmce. 

The territory now embracing the towns of Kiltery, El* 
iot. South Berwick, and Berwick, originally composed 
but one town, called Pascataqua. This name was re- 
tained until 1652, when it was changed to Kittery. Gror-* 
ges, Mason, and their associates, who commenced the set* 
tiements on the Pascataqua, bad a trading or fishing e^ 
tablishment on the Kittery side as early as 1632. In a 
letter to one of their agents at the close of that year, they 
say : '^We have committed the chief care of our bouse 
at Pascataway to Mr. Godfrey, and written unto Mt* 
Wamerton to take care of our house at Strawberry-bank,'^ 
(Portsmouth.) The ae;ent in his answer, the next sum* 
mer, writes that "Mr. Wamerton hath the charge of the 
house at Pascataway," and enumerates six persons with 



*Belkn. Hist. Appendix viii. f Hubbard's Hist. N. E. 224. Th» 
writer has made some aonfosion of dates relatiye to these gentlemeiii 
See ptfo 310. 



\ 



AN]> BXDDCFORDk 43 

bim there. Warnerton bad land allotted to him at the 
nme place, bounding Camnnock's grant on the south. 
Id 1634, the patentees divided their lands 'on the 
oorth east side of the harbor and river of Pascataqua,' 
when they *not only each of them shipped people to 
phot on their respective lands at their own charge, but 
pve direction to invite, and authority to receive such 
others as may be had, to be tenants, to plant and live 
there for the nuwe speedy peopling of the country.'* 
Before 1640, a lai^e number of planters arrived. Among 
them were Capt, F, Champemoon, Nicholas Frost, JL 
Truewortby, Wra. Everett^ Edw. Small, John Edge- 
comb, John Pickes, John Heard, Thos. Spencer, Peter 
Wyer. Humphry Cbadboume came over earlier, and 
bailt a house at Strawberry -bank, but was an inhabitant on 
tills side of the river 1640. He lived at Newichawa- 
Bockjf (S. Berwick.) Frost settled on Sturgeon creek, 
now in Eliot 

The folkming passage of Hubbard's History relates to 
both »des of the Pascataqua. **ln the year 1631; when 
£dward Colcott 6rst came thither, (^who was afterwards, 
for want of a better, for some years together chosen gov* 
emor of the plantations about Dover) there were but 
three bouses (as he affirmed) in all that side of the country 
adjoining unto Pascataqua river, nor is it said that any 
were built by Capt. Neale ; but after bis return home for 
England (1633) Sir F. Gorges, Capt. Mason, and the 
rest of the adventurers, sent over other agents and sup^ 
plies for cairyii^ on their designs."! 

After the earty operattoos of Col. Norton and Capi. 
Wm. Gorges at Agamenticus, before noticed, we fimt 
find inhabitants there in 1636. Capt. Gorges came over 
a second time 1635, with commissions for a general gov- 
emment, and probably renewed the settlement on that riv- 
er. The nejEt year, Edw. Grodfrey and William Hooke 
appear to be resident there, and in the court held at Saco, 
Hbe officer of Accomenticus' (in the words of the re- 
II " I 111 ■■■ ■■ 1. I ■ 

^c«ivtvBT iruin vlorg68Kiid Mftson* IfMim. xtmi* 1. Appz.Tit. txbki 
Indian name was applied to< Salmon Falla rive^. It was often written 
Newgee'wanacke. tHist N. E, 219. 



r 




44 BISTORT or SACO 

cord) 'per petition craveth pardon for not appearing.' A 
grant of land on the north side of the Agamenticus was 
nnade by Sir F. Qorges Dec, 1, 1631, to Samuel Maver- 
ick of Noddle's island, (Mass. Bay,) William Jefferies, 
and William Hooke. Mr. Ma?erick was living in the 
Bay when the Mass. colonists arrived, and is often noti- 
ced as a respectable planter by the early writers. Mr. 
JefFeries has been alread}' mentioned.* Mr. Hooke wit- 
nessed the delivery oi possession of the Pemaqoid 
patent 1633. In what year his residence at Agamenti- 
cus commeiiced, we are not informed. He married Mrs. 
Eleanor, the widow of Capt. Walter Norton, and remov- 
ed to Salisbury, Mass. 1640, although appointed by Gor- 
ges a counsellor of Maine in that year. He died before 
1654, and his widow returned to York. These gentle- 
men conveyed their grant to Roger Garde 1637, to whom 
it was confirmed by Maverick five years after. Mr. 
Garde sold to George Puddington 1645 ; Puddington's 
widow married John Davis of York, by whom it was as- 
signed to John Garde, merchant, of Boston 1662. Mr. 
Hooke was interested in another grant, called the Aga- 
menticus patent. In 1693, his son William assigned his 
part of it to James Coflin of Newbury. Edward God- 
frey, Oliver Godfrey, (his son,) and Richard Rowe were 
associated in a deod oi* 1500 acres on the north side of 
Cape Neddock creek, 1638. They were required to pay 
a rent of 2s. per 100 acres to the agent of Sir Ferdi- 
nando Gorges. 

The incorporation of Agamenticus as a city under the 
naflie of Gorgeana, in 1641, is a fact too singular in the 
monotonous character of our early settlements, not to be 
familiar to those least conversant with these subjects. 
The territory incorporated was on the eastern side of the 
river, extending seven miles into the land and three on 
the seaboard.f Thomas Gorges,Esq. was the first mayor 
of the city. The board of aldermen was composed of 
E. Godfrey, R. Garde, Geo. Puddington, Bartholomew 
Barnet, Edw. Johnson, Arthur Bragdon, Henry Simpson, 

*Supn, p. 31. iTork is now full eight miles sqaare. 



i^ 



AND BIDDEFOBD. 45 

and John Rogers. Mr. Garde was also appointed recor- 
der. The corporation were empowered to "keep court 
leete once every year within ten days either before or 
after Michaelmas, whereunto all persons above the age 
of twelve years may be warned to appear :" and they 
were exempted from the. Jurisdiction of any other officers 
for the administration of justice within the province of 
Maine, for any matter arising within the limits of the 
corporation. *And in further consideration of the tender 
regard,' says the charter of Sir Ferdinando, "I have 
and bear to the further good and advancement of the 
happiness and weal public of the said city and of the said 
Province, and that trading and pomraerce may be the 
more readily advanced, I do appoint and establish a Mar- 
ket to be kept upon Wednesday in every week forever 
within said town, and that there shall. be two Fairs held 
and kept there every year forever hereafter, viz. upon 
the feast days of St. James and St. Paul," inc.* 

Mr. Grorges returned to England 1643, and was suc- 
ceeded in the mayoralty by Roger Garde, Esq. In the 
following year a woman of Gorgeana was tried in the 
mayor's court for the murder of her husband, condemned 
and executed. The officers of the Province by the in- 
vitation of the mayor assisted in conducting the trial ; 
the terms of the charter prohibiting their interference 
without the special license and consent of the corpora- 
tion. The inhabitants probably continued to enjoy the 
municipal privileges secured to them by their charteri 
until 1652, when they first acknowledged the jurisdic- 
tion of Massachusetts, and were mcorporated as the town 
of York. 

There were few setders east of Casco before 1 640, 
and even for several succeeding years. Mr. Thomas 
Purchase was settled at Pegypscot, now Brunswick, in 
1639, and probably a few years before. At that date, he 
conveyed to the government of Mass. Bay a tract of land 
on both sides of the Androscoggin, four miles square, for 
the settlement of a new colony, reserving to himself a 
sufficient estate out of it. By the same deed, he placed 

*Tork Records. Hazard's Coil. 1. 4&0. 
5 




46 HISTORY OF SAGO 

bimself under iheir jurisdiction. Mr. Purcbbse kad no 
other than an Indian title to the land, or he would not 
•have thrown bimseir upon the protection of that Colony. 
'As it was included within the patent of Maine granted 
the next year, the intended colony was not planted, and 
Purchase himself aftdr some delay acknowledged the 
.jurisdiction of Gorges. 

The colony of New Plymouth established a trading* 
hbuse on the Kennebec in 1628,* by virtue of their. pa- 
lent obtained from the Council. At a period \oxig subs^ 
qn^t, there was much dispute respecting the location of 
'd)is tradinghouse, in connection with the determination <if 
the bounds of the patent. We have little doubt that it 
was situated near the mouth of that river. The object of 
the colony in obtaining a grant of lands, was to secure 
the whole trade of the Kennebec, and to defend the ex- 
ercise of this claim, they built a fort at its entrance. In 
1634, a content occurred there in the presence of two of 
their magistrates with a trader from Pascataqira. Tbe 
former, claiming an exclusive right to the traffic on the 
river, ordered the intruder to depart; he refused and'wAs 
killed by a shot from the fort. The marks of a ibrmer 
settlement in the lower part of Phippsburg, are probably 
the remains of the fort and tradinghouse. An investiga- 
tion of this affray was made at Boston soon after, 'lest' says 
Gov. Winthrop, 'it might give occasion to the king to send 
a general governor over, and thatit might not bring us all 
•under the common reproach of cutting one another's 
4hroats for beaver'. The Plymouth men -acknowledged 
themselves 'under the guilt of the sixth commandment.' 
An establishment was made at Penobscot immediately 
'ftfter tbe grAiit to Beauchamp and Leverett passed the 
seal of the Council. Mr. Edward Ashley was sent ovei 
•for this purpose 1630,f furnished by the English ad-* 
venturers With a plentiful stock of goods for trade whfa 
the hatives. The New Plymouth people were solicited 



rprince.t72. t Gov. Bradford's Letter book. 1. Mass. Hist. Coll 
«tii. 72* Hutchinson and succeeding writers date the Penobscot- erftilb' 
lishment IC^, unsuppoited by Bradford or Prince. 



AND BIBDEYOBIH 43* 

to engage in this enterprise, for which they had no great 
fancy; but their interest compelled them to fall in with* 
the humor of their friends in England. The objection, 
seems to have been to the character of the agent, who in. 
less than two years after, on some pretence of violating^ 
the regulations of the tradinghouse, was seized by order 
of the colony^ and sent to England; The direction of 
the whole establishment was then taken into their own. 
bands.* It was soon after robbed by the French, and 
in 1635, was captured by a French, frigate from Nova 
Scotia, and retained until 1654L . It is said to have been- 
located where Castine now stands. 

Pemaquid, now Bristol^ about, thirty miles east of the 
Kennebec, was settled as early as 1628 ; for the patent 
sets forth diat the people or servants of Aldworth and 
Elbridge, the grantees^ inhabited there three years pre-^ 
vious to the date of that instrument* Legal possession- 
was taken of the premises by Mr. Abraham Short, in 
May, 1633. Each settler was allowed to receive 100 
acres, adjoining to the principal grant. It is said that the 
lineal descendants oi some of the original planters 
now bold possession of the allotnients thus made to 
their ancestors.f The first notice we have of Mr. Short, 
(sometimes written Shurd^ is as the restorer of the (iVnn 
queen or the wife of the Lynn sachem, who was. takeq 
nrisoner at Agawam, now Ipswich, by the eastern luy 
dhms, 1631. Short, who trafficked with those Indians, 
caused her to be restored for a nioder^te ransom of warn* 
pam and beaver the same year.t 

The first settlers came generally f^om th^ cognties of 
Devonshire and Somersetshire, ip the southwestern part 
of England. In the foriper county, the towns of Ply- 
mputh, Tiverton, Biddeford, and Hobberton, and the city 
of Exeter, respectively supplied' our shores with inhabi- 
tants. Bristol, and places in the neighborhood of that 
city, in Somersetshire, are often mentioned in the transac* 



"Prince. IHist. of BelfMt 14. Hovr does it appear that the ^ 
teDteee theroMlveecafne oTec, as stated in that work. p. 18. 
(WiAthrop. k Sll. hfiwia^ Hiet. o£ Lynn. 40. 



/" 



48 BISTORT or 8AC0 

tiODS of our colonists. Emigrants continued to arriv« 
from time to time, encouraged to come over by Gorges 
and the other patentees, until the death of the former and 
the distracted state of the Province, arrested the progress 
of the settlements. The colonists of New Plymouth 
and Mass. Bay were for the most part from an opposite 
quarter of England, and widely differed from the eastern 
planters in their opinions and habits. It is, therefore, a 
mistaken notion that the puritans were the common fore- 
fathers of all New England. They were a peculiar and 
distinct people, with whom our early inhabitants had no* 
community of feeling or interest. Much of the present 
population in this section of the country is, indeed, derived 
from that quarter, but the old stock of the original p]ua^ 
ters yet flourishes, and has spread its multiplied branches 
from the seats of the first settlements over every part of 
the inhabited territory of Maine.* 



CHAPTER IV. 

The powers of government were clearly vested in the 
Council of Plymouth by the terms of their charter. 
As early as 1623, a general governor of New England 
was commissioned by them, and sent out, accompaaip4 
by a number of colonists. But this attempt laikid ; 
the governor, Robert Gorges, a sou to Sir Ferdinando, 
returned to England the following year, and the colonists 
were dispersed. The plan of a general government was 
revived in 1635 ; the country from St. Croix to Mary- 
land was partitioned into provinces, over which Sir F. 
Gorges was to be appointed governor, to the great con- 

__j ■ _ 

' *In a letter from Ambrose Gibbins, mn agent of Mason and Gorges 
on the Pascataouay dated 6 August, 1634, there is a reference to the 
business of R. Williams and others at this place, that should have 
been before noticed : *'The 6th August,the shippe is ready to set sarle 
for Saco to load cloavebords (clapboards) and pipe staves." Belka. 
Hist. i. Appx. ix. 



steraation of the Massachusetts coIoDies. This scheme 
was also abaDdoned. Gorges exercised oo jurisdictioa 
ID N. England before 1636 : so ill defined or feebly as- 
serted was Ills title under the Laconia patent, that his 
right even to assign small parceb of land, except in the 
neighborhood of the Pascataqua, fell into dispute. No 
government therefore existing in this quarter, the planters, 
immediately after their arrival, apparently formed a Com- 
bioatioo, similar to those afterwards established at Exeter 
and other plantations in New Hampshire; voluntarily 
agreeing to obey the laws of England as administered by 
officers chosen firoro their own number. The compact 
was usually written and subscribed by the inhabitants i* 
and although no such document framed by our colonists 
has been preserved, we are unable to explain the follow- 
ing order of the court without supposing one to have 
existed. ''Feb. 9, 1636-7. It is ordered that Mr. 
Thomas Lewis shall appear the next court day at the 
now dwelling house of Thomas Williams, there to an- 
swer his contempt, and to show cause why he will not de- 
liver up the Combination belonging to us.'* 

In 1635 the Council resigned their charter into the 
bands of the Eji%, after granting a new patent to Gorges, 
comprehending the territory between the Pascataqua and 
Sagadehock. He forthwith took measures for establish- 
ing a government within these limits. For this purpose 
he sent over Capt. W. (jorges,f with commissions to 
Vines, Bonython, Caramock, Jocelyn, Purchase, God- 
frey, and Lewis, as counsellors of the province, to which 
be gave the name of New Somersetshire. These gen- 
tlemen c(Hivened at Saco, on the eastern side of the riv^r, 
soon after the arrival of Capt. Gorges. The record is 
commenced in the following form : 

''At a meeting of the Commissioners in the house of 
Capt. R. Bonython in Saco, this 25th day of March, 
1636, present, Capt. R. Bonython, Capt. rf. Gorges, 
Capt. Cammock, Mr. H. Jocelyn, Mr. T. Purchase, E. 



*8«e a eo|i7 of tlie Exeter Comkination, Hazard's Coll. I. 463. 
t Jocelyn wye: ''In 1635, Capt W. Gorffes was sent over GoTe^- 
«or of tAO Province of Maine, tboa called New Somersetshire." 

5* 



so HnnPottT w 8aM 

Godfrey and T. Lewis, Gents." The court was con- 
tinued for several days. The petition of the officer of 
Agamenticus, craving pardon for not appearing, was pre* 
sented the first day. A few extracts from the records 
will not be uninteresting. '^Monday, 28, March, 1636. 
To the petition of Mr. T. Lewis for words of defamft- 
tion spoken per Mr. T. Williams against Mr. T. Lewis : 
it is this present day ordered, that Mr. T. W. shall -be 
bound to answer to the suit of Mr. Lewis at the next 
general court in the penalty of £100, and a sufficient jury 
of this Province to be returned to try the difference.'* 

"To the request of Mrs. Joan Vines, and an order of 
Sir F. Gorges as per the same at large appearetb,afid 
other circumsianceS us inducing, concerning the <lifier* 
ence between Capt. R. Bonytbon and Mr. T. Lewis a* 
gainst Mrs. Joan Vines, concerning the planting of com on 
the island where she planted formerly, and an order left 
per her husband now to plant : It is ordered for the pre- 
servation of the public peace and the general good oitbe 
country, that Mrs. Joan Vines shall peaceably plant wint 
she hath formerly planted and what more she can plant. 
Also Capt. R. Bonjrthon and Mr. T. Lewis to phut what 
they can except where Mrs. Vines phmteth, and for trial 
of the title to said island, to rest till further trial may be 
made thereof, and this we register, ratify and confirm, 
although Mr. T.L. did opprobriously, in open court, lacer- 
ate and tear an order made to that pur|)ose, and subscri- 
bed as per the same appeareth, when a fifth commtssion- 
er was to affirm to it.^ We thus learn one cause of dis- 
satbfaction on the part of Mr. Lewis towards the new 
government, and perhaps of his refusal to surrender the 
instrument of Combination. 

*4t is petitioned per Mr. E. Godfrey that an attach- 
ment might bee of one brasse kettell now in the bands of 
Mr. E. Godfrey, belonging unto Mr. John Straten of a 
<debt dew now 3 years from Mr. Straten to him," &g. 
The court decreed said kettle to be answerable to the 
suit of Mr. Godfrey at the next term. Stratton's tstatids 
off Black-point, included in Camnoock's patent, probably 
derived tbetr name from the defendant in this action. 
We find no other notice of him. 



/ 



\ 



Ain> BIDDEVOUI. 51 

• 

*'March 29, 1636. It is ordered that anjr man that 
rfoih sell strong liquor or wyne, shall sufier bis neighbor, 
laborer or servant to oootinue drinking io the bouse ex- 
cept men invited or laborers upon the working day for 
one bower at diner, or stranger or lodger there, the said 
oBenee being seeife by one justis of the peace within his 
limits, or constable, or pruned by tew witnesses before a 
justis of the peace, such seller of strong liquor or wyne 
«ball forfet for every such offence teone shillings.'' 

** April 4, 1637. It is agreed between Capt. R. Bony- 
tbon, R. Vines, and T. Lewis, that the said R. Vines 
shall pay for a pair of stocks and a lock to them : ffi>r 
that J. West his come was gathered contrary to order. 
.Aad soe all controversies about the Hands are ended, ac- 
^onxMng to a former order in Mr. Richard Gibson's hands.' 

Olement Gteenway his affidavit. This deponent saith 

that the dth July 1635, Mr. T. Lewis did byre the said 

'Oreemray his servant called Peter Hogg till the midst of 

' Mardi mlewing, and the said Lewis was to pay this de- 

»^ponent seavea £ for his servants byre, and this deponent 

saith that he did not promise that the said Hogg couM 

caidk floats v^ery well.' 

*it iserdered Aat every planter or inhabitant shall doe 
his best endeavor to apprehend, execute or kill any In- 
dian that hath binne known to murder any Inglish, kill 
llieir €atde or any way spoyle their eoods, doe them vio- 
lenoe, and wiH not make them satisfaction ; if it shall be 
proved diat any planter or inhabitant hath benne negligent 
therein, be shall be fined at the discretion of the twncb.' 
'Mithur Browne and Arthur Mackworth are empowered 
to make John Cosins pay satisfaction to an Indian for the 
wrong he hath done him.' 

Among the civil suits, were Wm. Scadlock against Mor- 

?« Howell, an action of debt ; John Richmond against 
• Lewis, trespass ; T. Page against J. Richmond, tres- 
pass ; Mr. R. Gibson against Geo. Jewell, mariner, debt. 
A warrant is recorded, dated Sept. 6, 1636, requiring 
the constable of Saco to attach the property of George 
Cleaves to satisfy a debt of J&6 13 8, in favor of Wil- 
liam Ryall ; signed by Vines, BonythOn, Gammock, and 
Lewis. 




AS HUTomr ov 9aoo 

John Wotton and three others were presented by the 
officer of the place, Mr. Theoph. Davis, for dmnkenDesSi 
and fined 5«. Hd. a piece. John Bonython, for another 
ofience, was fined 40s. R. Hitchcock was pot in tiM 
stocks for abusing the court. 

The records of New Somersetshire are not extended 
beyond the year 1637. It is uncertain, therefore, whether 
the courts continued to be holden until the new organisa- 
tion of the government in 1640. Greorge Cleaves went 
to England in 1636, and it is probable gave no very 
favorable account of the affairs of the province to the 
lord proprietor ; for the next year he returned with an 
order from Gorges to the authorities of Mass. Bay **V9 
govern," in the words of Winthrop, "his province of New 
Somersetshire," as well as "to oversee his servants and 

Erivate afilairs."* Cleaves at the same time obtained ton 
imself and Tucker, a grant of the tract already noticed 
as in dispute a few years after ; the form of the coo* 
veyance is, 'to G. Cleaves and R. Tucker, of Caseo^ 
in the Province of New Somerset, by Sir F. Gorge%. 
Lord of said Province." 

Gov. Winthrop and the other gentlemen of Mass. Bayi 
to whom the commission of Gorges was addressed, 
declined executing his wishes, professing to be ignorant 
of his right to the government of the province. No great 
cordiality had existed between Sir Ferdinando and tbe 
members of that colony. His extensive claims to lands 
embraced in their patent, supported by the Council of 
Plymouth, had occasioned them no small degree of aox- 
iety. In the manifesto of the Council, setting forth tbe 
causes of the resignation of their charter, the Mass. pa- 
tentees are expressly charged with having 'surreptitious- 
ly' acquired a title to tbe tract formerly granted to Robert 
Gorges, 'whose servants, with certain other undertaken 
and tenants' in the service of some of the Council, were 
thrust out by those intruders.'f It is not strange, there* 
f<m, that the commission of Gorges was treated with ne* 
gleet ; a result little regretted we suppose by the inhabi- 



"Joomal. i. 331. tHazard. i. 391. 



A, 



Xm BIDDEFOBD. US 

tants of the province. The artful representations of 
Cleaves were doubtless the occasion of its being sent. 
The character of tiie counsellors of New Somersetshire! 
and the re-appointment of several of them in the new 
organization of 1640, disprove the idea of any misman- 
agement of the powers entrusted to them. 

In concluding a notice, necessarily brief, of the 6rst 
provincial jurisdiction exercised in this section of New 
England, it is proper to advert to the fact that no account 
of it is found in the only history of Maine yet published. 
There was an early mistake,' Sullivan observes, 'in call- 
ing the province of Maine, New Somerset, which was 
the county, not the provincial name of the territory.* 
This remark seems to have been suggested by the deed 
to Cleaves and Tucker.* Yet the respected author had 
before observed that 'Gorges had a government or au- 
thor!^ in the year 1636' ; founding this statement, how- 
ever, on the solitary fact that Thomas Bradbury, as the 
agent of Sir Ferdinando, sold in that year a tract of land 
to Edward Johnson.f The records from which we have 
furnished extracts, of course escaped his notice. New 
Somerset was uniformly styled a province, not a county, 
in the instruments executed before 1640. Beside the 
deeds already referred to, an indenture or agreement be- 
tireen 'E. Godfrey, and W. Hooke of Bristol, now of 
Agaraenticus, in the Province of New Somerset,' dated 
1638, is found on record. 

In 1639, Gorges obtained a charter from the King, 
oonfirming the grant of the Council, which directed that 
the territory *shall forever hereafter be called and named 
the Province or Countie of Maine.' The name was be- 
stowed in compliment to die queen of England, a daugh- 
ter of Henry IV. of France, who was connected by title 
or estate with, the province of Mevne in France. 

Soon after obtaining the royal charter. Gorges issued a 
commission to Sir Thomas Jocelyn, Knight, Richard 
Vines, Esq. bis 'steward general,' Francis Champernoon, 
bis Moving nephew' ; Henry Jocelyn and Richard Bony- 



*£rroneou8ly printed Tuckerman. Sail. 315. tSuU. 905. The tract 
conaUted of 500 acres near Brave'ooat harbor, York. 




66 HISTORY OF SACO 

1 May last, and also 3Z. 6$. upon account. The defendant 
by his attorney, Francis Robinson, in part confessetb the 
action and intreateth that the matter in difierence may be 
referred to arbitration ; admitted by the court with the 
consent of the Plaintiff, and the defendant by his attorney 
engages that the corn which he has growing in Saco, shau 
remain for security to the plaintiff for the payment of the 
debt according to arbitration or otherwise. ArbitratorSa 
G. Cleaves and A. Mackworth.'* 

^'Action of slander. Arthur Browne versus Thomaa 
Purchase. A. Browne cometh into this court and declar- 
eth that whereas he hath been bred a merchant from hie 
youth upward, and lived in this country these seven years 
m good reputation and credit without scandalous reproach 
of fake or injurious dealing, yet the defendant hath wrong- 
ly accused him of bribery and perjury," 8z;c. Verdict 
for plaintiff, damages 5/." ^'Richard Gibson and Maiy 
his wife versus John Bonython, (son of Richard.) Ac* 
tion of slander. That on or about 28 April 1640, in the 
dwellinghouse of Thomas Lewis, deceased, he did alan- 
der the plaintiff for a base priest, a base knave, a base fel- 
low," (not sparing his wife) — ''all which he repeated in 
the house of R. Vines, Esq. Damages set at 500/. Ver- 
dict for the plaintiff; damages 6/. 6«. &d.^^ ''Mr. Arthar 
Browne is presented for swearing two oaths — ^fined 2i« 
John Payne is fined Is. for swearing one oath. H. Watts 
and W. Frethy for profaning the sabbath in carrying of 
bords contrary to his Majesty's laws — fined 205. one half 
remitted, the rest paid to the worshipful R. Vines. Capt 
Cammock fined Is. for swearing one oath." 

The following declaration relates to a gentleman of 
whom much is said by the early historical writers.* 
"Richard Tucker cometh into this Court and declareth 
that nine years since or thereabouts, there came one Sir 
Christopher Gardiner to the plaintiff in the name of the 
defendant, Thomas Purchase, and borrowed of him a 
warming pan, which cost here in this country I2s. 6i2., 
which the defendant hath all this lime and still doth 



*He has more recently fi)(Qred in a |iopuiar novel, *Hope Letlit'i 
t8 Sir Philip Gardiner. 



AtTD ftlDDSrOftD. 5T 

wrongfully detain Atnn the plaintifT. And al^o the said 
Sir Christopher did six months after or thereabouts, buy 
of the plaintiff a new fowling piece for 409. which he 

! promised to pay within a montn after, which money both 
or the warming pan and the piece the plaintiff hath often- 
times demanded of the defendant who doth still refuse to 
pay the same to the damage of the plaintiff at least 5Z. 
staling, for which the plaintiff commenceth his action of 
trespass on the case ^igatnst the defendant in this court, 
and humbly desireth a legal hearing according to law. 
T. Purchase denies ever authorizing Sir C. Gardiner to 
t)uy any warming pan or fowling j)iece for him, &c. Ver- 
dict for the plaintiff, 2/. 125. 6di for the two articles. 
2d, damages. 129. 6d. costs of court>'' 

Sir Christopher came to New England 1630, and re- 
mained about two years, attended, it is said, by a young 
woman, his cousin, and several servants. He had travel- 
led in the Holy Land, and received the honor of knight- 
hood at Jerusalem. On his appearance at Boston, he was 
BDspected by the Massachusetts government of having 
designs upon their patent, especially after a packet of 
letters came addressed to him from Sir F. Gorges, which 
being forwarded from Pascataqua by Capt. Neal under 
cover to Gfov. Winthrop, were somewhat unceremonious- 
ly opened by the council of that colony.* "By these 
tetters it appeared,** observes Winthrop, "that Sir F. Gor- 
ges (who claims a great part of Massachusetts Bay) had 
snme secret design to recover his pretended right, and 
that be reposed much trust in Sir Christopher Gardiner.** 
The cry of popery was soon after raised against the poor 
blight, confirmed by his alleged descent from Stephen 
Gardiner, the bloody bishop of Winchester of the reign 
of Queen Mary ; vague charges of an immoral nature 
Were also brought against him, but not substantiated. Af- 
ter suffering much abusive treatment in Massachusetts, he 
at length returned to England, where he co-operated with 

*Soine Hitle diilike of this proceeding is indicated in a rabsequent 
■otice taken of it by Gov. WiBthrop, accordinfir to the editor ; but it 
pobably occurrad ibrougb his influence, if afterward regretted. 
vViDlhrop's Joiamal. 1. 57. and note. 

6 



/■ 



68 HISTORY OF 8ACO 

Gorges and Mason in their plans relating to N. England.* 
The records of the courts between 1641-4, inclusive^ 
are not preserved. Gov. Gorges sailed for England in 
1 643, leaving Mr. Vines at the head of the government. 
In 1645, the General Court sat at Saco, when were pres- 
ent R. Vines, R. Bonython and H. Jocelyn, Esqrs. apd 
Mr.F. Robinson, Mr. A. Mackworth, Mr.E.Small and Mr. 
Abraham Preble, Magistrates. The following order was 
passed : ^'Tbe General Court not having heard from Sir 
F. Gorges, appoint R. Vines Deputy Governor of the 
Province for one year, and if he depart within the year, H* 
Jocelyn in his place." The civil war was at this time 
raging in England, and Sir Ferdinando, although advaor 
ced in years, took up arms in defence of his royal master. 
He was in the army of Prince Rupert at the siege of 
Bristol 1 643, and when that city was re-taken by the par^ 
liamentary forces in 1645, he was plundered and tbrowB 
into prison. It is not strange, therefore, that during this po* 
riod Gorges paid no attention to the affairs of the province. 
The following order of the court 1645, shows that bit 
fortunes were regarded as desperate : 'It is ordered that 
R. Vines shall have power to take into his possession all 
the goods and chattels of Sir F. Gorges, and to pay such 
debts as Sir Ferdinando is in any way indebted to any.' 
At the same time 'a publique fast was ordered to be sol- 
emnly kept upon Thursday, 20 November next, through 
this province.' 

In the meantime, the controversy respecting Lygooia 
arose. Alex. Rigby, proprietor of the plough patent, was 
a member of the celebrated Long Parliament, and strong- 
ly attached to both the political and religious opinions of 
the republican or revolutionary party in England. Hay- 
ing purchased the patent in 1643, he appointed Geoi^ 
Cleaves, then in England, his agent, and deputy governor 
of the new province, to which he gave the name of Ly- 
gonia, embracing the towns or plantations of Casco, Black- 

*For a particular account of hiin^see N. fi. Memorial — Davis's edi- 
tion. 1G3. Judffe Davis remarks : ^'Nothing criminal was proved a- 
gai^t him, ana the harsh treatment he received seems not only ir- 
/ rej^ular but imprudeat." 



AKD BIDDEFORO. 59 

point, Blue-point, Saco, and Cape Porpoise. Cleaves 
bad gone thither for the purpose of preferring complaints 
to Parliament against the government of Maine. The 
petition which he presented, was signed with the names 
of several planters without their consent, if we may trust 
the affidavits of Mackworth, Watts, Alger (Aithur), Ha- 
man9, West, Wadleigh, Weare, Wilkinson, and Smith, in 
which they say, Hhey did not authorize Cleaves's charges 
exhibited in Parliament against Mr. Vines, nor knew of 
them until said Cleaves came last out of England, nor do 
they testify to any such charges against Mr. Vines.' Rob- 
inson certifies the same, and adds : *I do moreover testify 
that Mr. Thomas Jenner, minister of God's word, told 
me be asked Mr. Cleaves why he put men's hands to a 
petition they never saw : his answer was, 'the Parliament 
bid bim.' The result, however, was a commission from 
Parliament, dated April 28, 1643, to Gov. Winthrop of 
Mass. Bay, Mr. A. Mackworth of Casco, and others, to 
examine into the truth of the articles alleged against Mr. 
Vines. 

Cleaves arrived at Boston in March, 1644, with his 
commission of deputy governor ,and applied to the General 
Court of that colony for assistance in establishing the 
claims of Mr. Rigby. They declined interfering, ex- 
cept to recommend to Gov. Winthrop to write in his own 
name to the officers of Grorges' government, advising an 
acknowledgement of Rigby's authority.* On reaching 
Casco, Cleaves distributed commissions, and summoned 
a court at that place in the name of the 'Lord Proprie- 
tor and President of the Province of Lygonia.' The 
counsellors of Maine forthwith called a general court at 
Saco, and protested against these proceedings. The. 
I^gh patent, they insisted, was effectually revoked by 
the royal charter of 1640, which conveyed, without re- 
serve, the territory and jurisdiction of the whole province 
to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, thereby disannulling all former 
grants, at least so far as related to the exercise of the 
powers of government. The inhabitants were divided 

•Winthrop. ii. 154. 




60 HISTOBT or SACO 

on the question, but we have reason to suppose that the 
claims of Grorges were generally favored. Cleaves at 
last proposed to refer the subject to the decision of the 
Mass. Colony, well knowing to which side they would 
lean, when the dispute was between a republican dissenter 
or puritan, and a zealous royalist. R. Tucker was the 
bearer of this proposition to the council at Saco, by whom 
he was treated as a disturber of the peace, and arrested ; 
but on giving bonds to appear at the next court at this 
place, and for his good behaviour in the interim, he was 
set at liberty. 

Cleaves next presented a petition signed by about thirty 
persons, to the Mass. Gen. Court, soliciting their aid to 
' maintain the authority of Rigby. Mr. Vines, with a let- 
ter from an equal number of the inhabitants, went him* 
self to Boston to obtain support. But that wary govern- 
ment, ever watchful of its own interests, had already con- 
ceived the idea of pushing its own limits into the heart of 
Maine, and resolved not to interfere. The dispute was 
then referred to the commissioners for foreign plantations 
in England. While it was pending there, the court of 
assistants at Boston consented to grant the parties a hear- 
ing, that an end might be put to the contention until the 
final decision was received from the commissioners. 
Messrs. Jocelyn and Robinson, on the part of Gorges, and 
Messrs. Cleaves and Tucker, on the other side, repaired 
thither ; but no other result was produced than a recom- 
mendation to both parties to live peaceably until they 
heard from England. This was in 1 646 ; the same year, 
the decision of the commissioners was declared in favor 
of the claims of Mr. Rigby. 

Thus terminated the jurisdiction of Gorges over the 
towns included in the province of Lygonia. The last 
general court under his authority of which we find a re- 
cord, was holden at Wells, July 1646, by H. Jocelyn, 
Deputy Governor, Capt. R. Bonython, and E. Godfrey. 
Atiength^in 1649, the inhabitants of Pascataqua, Gor- 
geana, and Wells, having received intelligence of the 
death of the lord proprietor, and in vain written to his 
heirs to ascertain their wishes, formed a Combination for 
the exercise of the powers of gov^rQipei^t ^Qpording to 'the 



AND BIDJ>£rOBt>. 61 

laws of their Dative country.'* Mr. Godfrey was chosen 
gpvernor, the style ProviDce of Maine being still retain- 
ed. This state of things continued until 1652-3» whea 
the towns were annexed to Massachusetts. 

Id the meantime the government of Lygonia was regu- 
larly organized, and the inhabitants within its limits, even 
those who had been the most 4ictive adherents of Gror- 

i^es, quietly submitted to the new jurisdiction. A mere 
ragment of the records of the General Assembly of this 
Province has been found, on diligent inquiry, enough to 
show, however, that its proceedings were conducted with 
great regularity. It is in the following form : 'Petition 
of Robert Jordan to Alexander Rigby, President, George 
Cleaves, Deputy President, together with the whole body 
of the General Assembly of Lygonia, assembled this 22 
day of September, 1648," &c. <'Sept. 24, 1648. This 
petition is granted by this Assembly and referred to a 
committee of this House, viz. to Mr. George Cleaves,Mr. 
William Roy all, Mr. Richard Fox well, Mr. Henry Watts, 
to be set on the 10 October next at Richmond's Island, 
to make report of the state of things petitioned for to this 
Court at the next Sessions ; under the hand of the Clerk 
of the Assembly, Peyton Cooke." The decree of the 
court founded pn the report of its committee, made in 
December following, was adjudged legal by the Mass. au- 
thorities at a subsequent period. 

In addition to the above, we find appended to an adr 
ministration of P. Cooke on the estate of R. Williams 
the following approval, executed 'at a court holden at 
Black-point the last of May, 1648 : We, the Judges for. 
the Province of Lygonia, do by our authority ratify and 
confirm unto the said P. Cooke this abovesaid administra- 
tion accordiog to the full tenor thereof. Witness our 
hands under our Provincial Seal at the day and year a- 
bovewritten. (Signed^G. Cleaves, H.Jocelyn, R. Jordan.' 
Alex. Rigby died August 1650, and was succeeded as 
proprietor of Lygonia by his son, Edward Ri8;by. A let- 

*Tfai8 Combination is printed 1 Mass. Hisl Coll. 1. lOt^. and in 
Jodffe Freemao*s 'Extraets from the Journal of Rev. T. Smith.' Ap- 
pendix. 56. 

6* 



r 



62 ittisTOttr or SACif 

ler 18 on record addressed by the latter to .foccfyii, Jof^ 
dan, Mackworth, WiHiams, as also to Robert Booth, and 
others, who held commissions under his father, in wbrcb 
he states that he has been *made acquainted bj the late 
deputy president, with several miscarriages and illegal pro- 
ceedings committed in his prorince by their instigation 
and advice' ; and he requires and commands them to de- 
sist from acting by virtue of their commissions, detcrmin* 
ed by the death of his father, until they hear further from 
him. He moreover declares void "all the actions done 
either by the deputy-president, the six assistants, the 
judges, or any other officer whatever who bad commission 
form his father, since his death.** "I am not ignorant,** 
he says, "of some complaints formerly made to my father 
by some of yourselves and others and desire that you wiB 
be confident, that I shall strive to do equal justice in ail 
diings, according to my offibe and duty ; and to the 
end that equal justice may be done to all men, I sbaS 
with all convenient speed, not only send back Mr. CTieeve; 
but a near kinsman of my own, with instructions to such 
as 1 shall conceive fitting^ Tlie tetter is dated at Lon- 
don, 19 July, 1652.^ There is no evidence that the pfo- 
posed measures were taken by Edward Rigby. The 
government of Lygonia was at an end, and no efibrts'ap-^ 
pear to have been m^de for its restoration at any fiotore 
period. The heirs did, indeed, endeavor in 1710, to re- 
vive their title to the soil, but without success.f 

The town records of Saco now existing, commence after 
tte dissolution of the government of Lygonia ; we are thua 
deprived of the means of knowing what part was taken 
by the inhabitants in general, in relation to the afiairs of 
that province. It is probable that Cleaves found few sup- 
porters here, at least until after the removal of Mr. Vines 
from the country, which took place before the termination 
of the controversy. When the authority of Rigby was 



•A copy is printed in Sullivan's Hist. 317. and Hazard's Coll. I. 
57^. Tae hitter miatak e s Lygonia fbr Laconia. We do not per- 
ceive that the conduct of Cleaves waa impeached by Rigby, or that 
the heir waa unable to manaipe his own concerna, aa stated by SuUi* 
ran. 316. f SoUivan. 319. 



AND Bn>DErosi>« 6S 

at length established, the opposition existed only in com- 
plaints against the procedures of bis agent, whicb were 
forwarded to the President in England. Wbat were the 
particular causes of dissatisfaction, we are not informed. 
Among the inbabitanta who held commissions under this 
government, T. Williams and R. Booth are named in tbe 
address of E. Rigby's letter ; the former is placed in a 
superior class apparently, who were perhaps Assistants or 
Counsellors. Mr. Booth was doubtless one of the magia- 
tratea. Mr. Rigby had wisely associated in his govern* 
ment some of the most ardent friends of Gorges. 

We have thus endeavored to trace briefly the history 
of the earlv jurisdictions of (Sorges and Rigby in this 
quarter. *l%ey were both of short dnration. While jus- 
tice and gratitude seem to have pleaded in behalf of tbe 
former, by whom tbe energies of a long and active life 
had heeD devoted io achemea for the setdement of this 
part of New England, it mnst be acknowledged that tbe 
tkle of tbe latter to the territmy he claimed, was strictly 
wci founded. 

Hm true source of die «rounds of dispute is found id 
die contradictory grants of the Council of Piymoutfa, 
which vested the powers of government, as well as a r^ht 
\o tbe soil, in both proprietors. A conflict was thus ren- 
dered inevitable. The smaller patents, on the other 
liand, oonvejred aiinply a title to the lands, of which pos- 
Msaon had been fegnlarty taken at an early date. No 
tttempt was made to subvert them, and the controversies 
of the provincial patentees only affected tbe proprietors 
of them, as subjeeta of a political jurisdiction. 



J 

1 



64 HISTOHT OF SACO 



CHAPTER V. 



Litde is known respecting those members of the Gon 
ges family who are so intimately connected with the early 
afiairs of New England, more than appears in the general 
history of their exertions at that period. Lord Edward 
Gorges of Wihshire, was President of the Council of Ply- 
mouth : his name occurs in most of the instruments ex- 
ecuted by that body. Sir Ferdinando was born about 
1575. He is styled of Ashton Phillips; in the county of 
Somerset, by Mr. Jocelyn ; this was probably the name 
of a family seat, as there is no town so called. The gen- 
ealogy of the family is traced to the year 1350, when 
Theobald Kussnll, of the noble house of that name in 
England, married Eleanor de Grorges, and contrary to the 
custom of modern times assumed the patronymicK of his 
lady** The first notice that history fkthtds us of Sir 
Ferdinando, is in connection with the discovery of the 
treasonable enterprise of the Earl of Essex, near the 
close of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, which cost that 
nobleman his life. Information of this afiair having reach- 
ed our knight, he communicated it, as was supposed, to 
bis friend Sir Waher Raleigh, by whom it was made 
known to government.f During the war with Spain, in 
the last years of Elizabeth, Sir Ferdinando served in the 
navy, and after peace took place 1604, he was appointed 
governor of Plymouth in Devonshire. The apparently 
trivial circumstance of his seeing four or five natives oif 
our coast, who were carried to England by Capt. Wey- 
mouth, occurred the following year, and gave a colour to 
the events of his whole life. His attention was recalled 
from America in his old age only by the adversities of his 
royal friend and patron, Charles I. In 1624, when a 
jealousy of the powers granted to the Council of Ply- 
mouth prevailed in England, Sir Ferdinando was sum- 



AND BIllDElOBD. 66 

moned to the bar of the house of Commons, where the 
speaker, Sir Edward Coke, iDformed him that the patent 
of the Council was complained of as a grievance, and re- 
quired it to be delivered to the house. Gorges replied 
that be was but one of the company, and tliat he had no 
power to deliver it without their consent. He then went 
into a full vindicatioo of the patent, and of the measurea 
pursued by the Council, and pointed out the vast impor- 
tance of this country to England, 'which could not long 
remain unpossessed', he said 'either by the French, Span- 
iards, or Dutch, so that if the plantations were to be given 
up, the honor as well as the interest of the nation, must 
greatly suffer.' A committee was then appointed liy the 
bouse to examine the patent and make objections, to be 
delivered to Gorges. These he fully answered, with the 
assistance of the celebrated Lord Finch, and Mr. Cal- 
trap, as legal counsel. The Parliament, however, in its 
zeal to reform abuses of the royal prerogative, placed the 
grant to the Council of Plymouth on the list of grievances 
presented to the King. Although James did not see fit 
to recal it, the Council of their own accord suspended 
operations for a time. 

The death of Sir Ferdinando is supposed to have oc- 
curred about the year 1647, when the civil war was at its 
height. It is almost unnecessary to add, that he never 
visited New England. He was succeeded in his title and 
estates by his oldest son, named John, a man of little en- 
ergy, who did not survive his father many years. Sir 
John left a son Ferdinando, who inherited tlie title, and 
8000 after began to interest himself in the affuirs of Maine. 
He published a history of the plantations undertaken in 
N. England, mostly derived from the papers of his grand- 
father, in 1658. 

Thomas Grorges, Deputy Governor, and Mayor of 
Gorgeana, was styled in the commission from Sir Ferdi- 
nando his 'well beloved cousin,^ or kinsman. He was 
probably the son of a younger brother of Sir Ferdinando. 
He received from the lord proprietor, 1641, a grant of 
5000 acres of land in any part of the Province at his 
election, not interfering with prior grants, to constitute a 
Barony, ^with full power to divide the same into manors 




66 BISTORT OF SAOO 

and lordships, and to liold court barons and court leeti^ 
within said Lordship/ Thomas chose a tract in WelISp 
near the small river Ogarnu^ or Ogunquit, wliere he sold- 
a parcel to the Rev. John Wheelwright in ]643. Heniy^ 
a hrother of Thomas Gorges, brought actions of eject- 
ment at the couit of 1686, for lands contained hi thi^ 
grant, and succeeded in some of them. 

Capt. Francis Champernoon, one of the council In the 
government of Gorges 1640, is styled his Moving nephew' 
in the commission. He resided at Kittery, where he died 
1687. Two of his daughters married in the Cutts fami- 
ly. A third married Humphry Eliot, whose son, ChAm"- 
pernoon Eliot, was the principal heir of Capt. Champer- 
noon, inheriting 'all his lands in old and New England.' 

We have already stated, that Mr. John Oldham, the 
associate patentee of Mr. Vines, was not among the set- 
tlers at Winter Harbor. A brief notice of him is never- 
theless due, from the agency which be probably had in 
procuring the patent. Mr. Oldham came to New Eng- 
land 1623, with a family of ten persons, and joined the 
colony of New Plymouth. The next year he became 
involved, together with the Rev. John Lyford, in a seri- 
ous difference with the leading individuals of that colony, 
and received sentence of banishment. Returning thither 
in the spring of 1625, he was again expelled, and com- 
pelled to take refuge with his family at Nantasket, where ' 
he was joined by Mr. Lyford, Mr. Roger Conant, and 
some others, with their families, from New Plymouth. 
The cause of this secession from the colony seems to have 
been a dislike of the peculiarly rigid principles of the 
greater part of the pilgrims. Soon after a company in 
England, intending to establish a plantation at Cape Anuy 
appointed these gentlemen to superintend it. Mr. Conant, 
who commenced the settlement of Salem soon after, bad 
the care of the planting and fishing ; Mr. Oldham was to 
conduct the trade ; and Rev. Mr. Lyford to be their min- 
ister.^ In 1628, Mr. Oldham went to England, when he 
appears to have regained the good opinion of the old col- 

*N. E. Memorial. 117-6. note. 



AlTD BIDDEFORD. 



67 



ony, who committed to his charge a prisoner of some con- 
sequence. It is uncertain in what year be returned. 
While in England, he was chiefly occupied with a grant 
made to him by Robert Gorges on Charles river. The 
JMass. Colonists complained much of his pertinacity in de- 
lending his right and title, notwithstanding their patent em- 
braced the tract in question.* Terms of agreement were 
proposed to him, which he at first rejected ; but as we 
next find him living quietly under their jurisdiction with- 
in the limits of his grant, at Watertown, in 1 632, some 
compromise probably had been made. In that year, a 
conomittee composed of two persons from each of the 
eight towns then forming the colony of Mass. bay, was 
chosen by the people to confer with the Governor and as- 
sistants on the subject of raising a public fund ; when Mr. 
O. and one other represented that town.f This body was 
the germ of the General Court established two years af- 
ter on the same basis of representation. We next find 
Mr. Oldham with three others travelling from Dorchester 
to Connecticut, through the wildemess,to view the country 
and trade with the Indians. The result of this journey, 

i performed in 1633, was the first settlement of the Eng- 
isli in Connecticut, the favorable accounts of the travel- 
lers on their return inducing a number of planters to go 
thither. I At the first Gen. Court holden May 14, 1634, 
Mr. Oldham was one of the two representatives of Water- 
town. His adventurous and enterprising spirit at length 
brought him to a tragical end. In the summer of 1636, 
while on a trading voyage to the coast of Connecticut, he 
was barbarously murdered by some of the Pequod In- 
dians, who attacked him in his pinnace near Block Island. 
This was the second instance of murder committed by 
those Indians, and was followed by a war of extermina- 
tion, which put a period to the existence of that tribe. 

The foregoing pages have narrated the principal events 
of a public nature, in which Richard Vines, the foun- 
der of our towns, bore a part. Whatever we have been 

iSee a letter to Gov. Rndicott. Hazard's Coll. 1. 256. 

t Prince. I. (}0. jDr. Harris. Hist, of Dorchester. Hist. Coll. xi. 
A iradinghouse had been before set up on the Conneoticat bj the 
New Plymoath people, but without making a regular settlement. 



'68 Rnroinr of sam 

able to collect relating to his private history, will be 
presented to the reader. The following account dented 
from the journal ofOov. Winthrop, furnishes us with some 
knowledge of the extent of his transactions in the way 0f 
trade. About the year 1642, two rival French eatabfirfl* 
ments existed at Penobscot and near the mouth of tbe 
St. John. At the head of the former was Monsieur ]>*«- 
Aulnay, and of tbe latter, De la Tour. So far did these 
adventurers carry then* feuds, that they engaged in opeti 
hostilities against each other. The assistance of dicf 
Massachusetts Colonies was sought by both, to enable tbenci 
to carry on their vindictive operations. La Tour came to 
Boston for this purpose in 1643, but before the object of 
his visit could be attended to, he was required to answer 
for killing two Englishmen at Machias, and taking away 
their goods to tbe amount of 500/. Mr. Vines wad paf t 
owner of the alleged goods, and happening to be in do^ 
ton at this time, he was requested to appear with La Tour 
before the Governor and assistants, that the charge might 
be duly investigated. The facts were as follows. Mt 
Vines being on a trading voyage to the eastward, fell ifl 
with La Tour, and sold him goods to the value of 4O0 
beaver skins. At the same time, the French officer infil^ 
med him that he had a commission from his government 
lo make prize of all who traded in that quarter, and wani- 
ed him to forbear in future, but gave him liberty to trade 
while on his return, provided he erected no tradinghousis 
or fort on the coast. Mr. Vines, however, landed his 
goods at Machias afterwards, and set up a wigwam or 
camp, in which he left five men provided with firearms, 
and a small vessel, and returned home. Two days aflter. 
La Tour cast anchor before this place, when one of Vines's 
men went on board his vessel to make the necessary ex* 

Iilanations. In the meantime, some of the French cre# 
anded, and as they were going towards the wigwam, ap« 
parently with hostile intent, one of the men left there at- 
tempted to discharge a gun. The Frenchmen immediate-* 
ly fired on them, and killed two of their number. La 
Tour afterwards made prisoners of tbe others and seized 
the goods, and sent them to a French port. The men 
were there discharged, but the goods were adjudged to 



ANB BIl>I>Sr<kB2>. 

be lawful prize. Mr. Vines maintained that he did not 
exceed the liberty given him by La Tour, having merely 
set up a temporary shelter for his goods, which he showed 
to be of the value of 4002. La Tour, finding that the 
facts were against him, and wishing to quiet the minds of 
his judges, promised to have the circumstances invesd- 
gated at a future time, and to make satisfaction, if it ap* 
peared that he had done wrong. Pacified by these 
promises, the governor permitted him to enlist ships and 
men in his service to act against his rival at Penobscot. 

The following year Mr. Vines in company with Capt. 
Warnerton of Pascataqua, and Mr. Short of Pemaquid, 
made H visit to St. John for the purpose of collecting 
their debts. On their way, they put in • at Penobscot, 
where they were detained several days by D'Aulnay. 
When liberated, they proceeded to St. John, and were 
hospitably received by La Tour. At this time an expe- 
dition was fitted out by him against Penobscot, in which 
a number of Englishmen embarked, who happened to be 
at St. John ; among others, Capt. Warnerton. The en- 
terprise was unsuccessful, and cost Warnerton his life.* 

A visit of Mr. Vines to the White Mountains, descri- 
bed by Winthrop, is worthy of notice. It was performed 
Id the month of August, 1642, by him in company with 
Thomas Gorges, the deputy-governor. Darby Field, 
who was living at Exeter ] 639, has the credit of being 
the first traveller to these mountains. His journey also is 
described. by Winthrop, who says it was performed in the 
year 1642. He appears to have returned by the way of 
Saco. "The report he brought," says Winthrop, "of shi- 
ning stones, &;c. caused divers others to travel thither, but 
they found nothing worth their pains. Mr. Gorges and 
Mr. Vines, two of the magistrates of Sir F. Gorges' pro- 
Fince, went thither about the end of this month," (Au- 
gust.) They set out, probably, a few days after the re- 
turn of Field, dazzled by visions of diamonds and other 
precious minerals, with which the fancy of this man had 



*The diBiieiiiionfl of La Toar and D'Aulnay hnvc been made the sub- 
ject of II affreeable tale, called **the Rivals of Acadia," printed at 

7 



70 HIgTOttT 09 BACO 

garntshed his story. "Tbey went up Saco river in biceli 
canoes, and that way they found it 90 miles to Pegwag- 

fHy an Indian town, but by land it is but 60. Upon 
aco river they found many thousand acres of rich mea- 
dow, but there are ten falls which hinder boats, be. 
From the Indian town they went up hill (for the mo0t 

Crt) about 30 miles in woody lands, then they went a- 
ut 7 or 8 miles upon shattered rocks, without tree or 
grass, very steep all the way. At the top is a plain about 
8 or 4 miles over, all shattered stones, and upon that is 
another rock or spire about a mile in height, and about 
an acre of ground at the top. At the top of the plain 
arise four great rivers, each of them so mucn water at thtt 
first issue as would drive a mill : Connecticut river from 
two heads at the north west and south west, which join 
m one about 60 miles off; Saco river on the south east J 
Amascoggin, which runs into Casco bay, at the oorth 
east ; and the Kennebeck at the north by east. The 
mountain runs east and west 30 or 40 miles, but the peak 
is above all the rest. They went and returned in 16 
days."* This description of the mountains was probab^ 
ooramunicated by Mr. Vines to Gov. Winthrop. h con- 
veys a very accurate idea of them, as they now strike tba 
traveller. 

Mr. Vines removed to Barbadoes, W. I. about the close 
of the year 1645. From some expressions contained in 
the subjoined letters addressed by him to Gov. Windirop 
after his departure, it may be inferred that he had bih 
come embarrassed in his private aflairs. This drcum^ 
stance, together with the prospect of being subjected to 
the authority of his political, and perhaps, persona) eo^ 
my. Cleaves, probably induced him to renrave. Great 
numbers of English planters flocked to the island of Bar- 
badoes at that period, which was first settled only twenty 
years before, and yet, in 1650, contained a population OT 
more than twenty thousand whites, and a much greater 
number of blacks and Indian slaves. The inhabitants 
were chiefly royalists, many of whom left England on ao» 
count of the predominance of the republican party.f^ 



*Joani»l ii. 89. tMod. Univ. Hiet. zli. 137. 



i 



AND BIDDErORD. Tl 

LCTTE&S FROM R. ViNES TO GrOV. JoHN WlNTHBOP. 

■M **Right Worshipful and ever honoured Sir — I undertake 
,« not to give you a relation of this island, presuming jrou 
K luiow more thereof than I can express. . But my real re* 
H tpects to your worthiness enjoin me to salute you with a 
[^ line or two, not only to show my gratefulness for former 
iavors, but still desiring to keep correspondency with you, 
vbo have always respected me beyond my deserts. I 
til shall be joyful you had any service here to command me, 
to make good my poor expressions in real actions. This 
d gentleman, Mr. John Mainford, Mer. is coming to your 
i port to trade for provisions for the belly, which at present 
ire very scarce by reason of 5 or 6 months dearth, and 
not that only, but men are so intent upon planting sugar 
fl thit they had rather buy food at very dear rates than pro* 
i doce it by labor, so infinite is the profit of sugar works 
d when once accomplished. I have by God^s assistance 
i settled myself in two plantations adjoining, containing 50 
H acres, which 1 hope after six months will maintain n>e and 
i toine comfortably, besides my practice of physic which 
is wortli at least 10,000 lbs. tobacco, per annum. Yet 
it is hard with me by reason of my great payments for 
my plantation and negroes and other necessary disburse- 
ments already paid to the value of 40,000 lbs. tobacco, 
which keeps nde bare at present ; I doubt not but the 
next crop proving well, to be better able to live than I have 
been many years. Air. Parker^ with his wife and fami- 
ly is well seated in a good plantation of 20 acres, besides 
a good stipend and many good gifts, well approved of in 
his function, opposed by none unless by Antinomians and 
such like. I bless God my family continue in good 
health, all liking the Island well^ notwithstanding the 
change of diet, which at present is yet but slender, yet 
far from want. 1 fear not but within 6 months to live as 
plentifully as any man upon this island, according to my 
proportion. I have at present 16 acres of corn planted 
at thi! least, as much (more) corn for my provisions be- 

*Rev. James Parker, second minister of Portsmouth, N. II. where 
lie WM sfiUM 164^ Ad^inJi.' Anaaje of FortsmQutU. 




73 HISTORT or SAGO I 

sides tobacco. The next year I intend for sugar, at pre* 
sent I cannot. Thus ceasing further to trouble you saFi 
with ray respective service to yourself, your virtuous wifc^ 
with your sons and daughters, and to the Rev. divines 
Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wilson, to my worthy friends Major 
Gibbons and Mr. Hill, leaving you all to Israel's protec- 
tor — resting Your Assured friend and servant, 

RICHARD VINES, 
Barbadoes, 19 July, 1647." 

R. Vines to Governor Winthrop. 

"Barbadoes 29 April, 1648. 
Right Worshipful and my ever honored friend, — ^Your 
kind letter of the 24 August I received, which was most 
welcome to me, esteeming it a high favor that you will 
Touchsafe to keep correspondence with so undeserving i 
friend. I perceive by your letter that the Lord did sliake 
his rod over N. England ; it was his great mercy only to 
put you in remembrance.^ We have felt his heavy hand ia 
wrath, and yet I fear, are not sensible of it, for here is lit- 
tle amendment or notice taken of bis great puntshmeots. 
The sickness was an absolute plague ; very infectious and 
destroying, in so much that in our parish there were buried 
20 in a week and many weeks together 15 or 16. It first 
seized on the ablest men both for account and ability of 
body. Many who had begun and almost finished great 
sugar works, who dandled themselves in their hopes, but 
were suddenly laid in the dust and their estates left unto 
strangers. Our N. England men here had their share, 
and so had all nations especially Dutchmen, of whom 
died a great company even of the wisest of them. The 
contagion is well nigh over, the Lord make us truly thank- 
ful for it and ever mindful of his mercy. I saw your son 
here, he niade but little stay but went for Christopher's 
with his cargo ; he is a very hopeful gentleman. If the 
Lord please to send him here again or any other of your 



*Aii epidemic which appears to have been the influenza, prevailed 
throughout the American setUements in 1647, and proved very fatal. 
It extended to the W. Indies. Hubbard. 532. The recurrence ol 
this disease at later periods, is noticed by Hutchinson, Hist. i. 141. 



AND BlDDSrOBD. "79 

sons, 1 shall be i*eady to serve them ia what I may. I 
hear the Lord hath graciously recompensed your incom- 
' parable loss with another most virtuous and loving wife : 
i nmny and happy be your days together* Sir, I shall take 
I it IS a great blessing from Crod to give me a good occa* 
sion to serve you or any of your children, here or else- 
where, that I might exercise my thankful remembrances 
ibr all your courtesies. No more at present but my hum- 
ble service to yourself and virtuous wife and to all your 
SODS and daughters, committing you all to the protec- 
tion of almighty God. Ever resting your assured loving 
KcDd and servant, RICHARD VINES. 

I pray, Sir, be pleased to present my best service to Mr. 
Dudley, Mr. Bellingham, Mr. Stebbins, and the Rev* 
I Bunisters Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wilson."* 

It is gratifying to perceive from the tenor of these in- 
teresting letters, that the personal worth and excellent 
character of our patentee were appreciated by Winthrop 
lod other leading individuals of the Mass. Colony, not- 
withstanding his strong attachment to the interests of Gor« 
ges and of the royal party. Mr. Vines was, besides, a 
staunch episcopalian, but, as will presently appear, he was 
not unwilling to listen to religious instruction from a non- 
conformist, although offended by his covert attack upon 
the rites and ceremonies of the English church. The 
last year of his abode among us, Mr. Vines held the of- 
fice of Governor by the election of the General Court. 
He bad previously exercised the duties of that office be- 
ibre the arrival and after the departure of Thomas Gor- 
ges, by virtue of his commission as Steward General of 
the Province. That his administration of affairs was ac- 
ceptable to the people in general, may be fairly inferred 
from the strong disapprobation of the attempts made by 
Mr. Cleaves in England to injure the reputation of his 
government, expressed by many of the inhabitants. 

Mr. Vines sold his patent before leaving the country to 
Dr. Robert Child. The following certificate of the 
transfer is annexed to the copy of the original instrument 



*Hatchinfon's Coll. State Papers. 2!32. 

7* » .•/: !\.'.) J.-.!! -.^.-.T'. 



r 



t4 HisTo&r or aaco 

en record. "I, Richard Vines, of Saco, gentleman, btte 
bargained and sold the patent above specified unto Ro* 
bert Child, Esq. Doctor of Physick, and given him livefj 
and seizin upon the 20th day of October 1645, in pre* 
sence of Mr. Adam Winthrop* and Mr. Benjamin Gil* 
man." 

Dr. Child came to New England not long before the 
date of this purchase. He first appears as a petitioner 
with others for a plantation at Nashaway, now I^ncaster, 
Mass. in 1644, where a considerable tract had been ob- 
tained of the Indians, and a trading house set up the 
year before.f Dr. Child resided in Massachusetts dur- 
ing the short time he remained in this country, where be 
became so much involved in political disputes, that ho 
gave little attention to his property at this place. A deed 
of 100 acres to R. Cumming, in exchange for a like 
quantity on the other patent, dated July 14, 1647, is tbe 
only one executed by him found on record. Tbe follow- 
ing order is without date : **Mr. Doctor Child, Mr. Jo* 
seph Bowles hath 100 acres of land next unto Mr. Mack- 
worth's lot ; as yet he hath not a deed for it— I pray you 
confirm it. Yours, Richard Vines." He appears to 
have had in view the working of mines of the usefiil 
metals. For this purpose he brought over from Derby- 
shire William White, a miner, who made triaT, according 
to his own account, of the York (iron) mines, but "tbe 
spirit of solidity and fusion was not in them." Wbitf 
complained that the Doctor and others concerned, faile4 
to fulfil their contract with him. He had been "promis- 
ed 55. per day for himself and son, and two cows, and 
house rent free, and land for himself and all his children ;" 
but he acknowledges that 'the covenanters' had suffered 
greater loss than himself in the enterprise.| The York 
mines to which he refers, were perhaps in England, o* 
the borders of Derbyshire, where he had been employed. 

The severe and arbitrary character of the Massachu- 
setts colonial laws at an early period of the history of 

*Son to the Governor of Mass. Journal, i. 68. note. tHiatory of 
Lancaster, by J. Willard : published in the Worcester Magazine, ii. 
273. Winthrop. ii. 161 . note. |White's I«tttr, dated July 2i, 1648. 
9 Mass. Hist. Coll. iT. 195. 



ioim BiDDnroui. 9i 

: gonremment, is weW known. The inindbitnrts boir- 
r respectable, who did not fall in with the prevaleat 
;ious notions, were debarred from the exercise of 
ly rights and prinleges to which they were fully enli- 

fts members of the civil oommunity, according to the 
i of England. In 1646, a number of individuals, 
«ons of Bgure,' as they are styled by Hutchinson, 
mpted to obtafin a modification of the legislative 
e, by which it might be rendered more conformable 
iftt enjoyed at home. For this ptirpose, they address- 
I petition to the General Court in behalf of them- 
es and others, in which they complained of the de* 

of civil rights to such as were not members of 
rches, and of christian privileges to all who were not 
nbers of the 'particular churches in the country ; and 
red that civil liberty and freedom might be forthwith 
ited to all truly English, and that all members of the 
pch of England or of Scotland of good standing might 
idmitted to the privileges of the churches of New 
;IaDd ; or if the enjoyment of those liberties were deni- 
that they might be freed from the heavy load of taxes 
osed on them. In case redress was refused, they 
e resolved to appeal to Parliament, ''who, they hoped, 
lid take their sad condition into consideration." The 
tion was signed by seven persons, at the bead of whom 

Dr. ChiM.^ The style of it being bold, and not 
r respectful, it created great excitement throughout 

eoiony, generally adverse to the petitioners. The 
pstrates or rulers were filled with indignation^ and im* 
liately caused them to be arrested for contempt of 
emment. They gave bonds for their appearance at 
next court, when they were severally sentenced to the 
ment of heavy fines. The Doctor, *'in regard be 

no cause of complaint, and yet was a leader to the 
, and had carried himself proudly in the court,'' was 
k1 501., ten more than any other. The court in pass- 

jeBtence^ reminded them of the resemblance of the 
ne they bad committed, to that of Korah and bis troop. 



•■MP 



*HutchinBon'g State Papert. 188. 




76 HISTORY OF SACO 

who were destroyed for rebelling against Moses and 
Aaroo.^ 

But the subject did not rest here. Dr. Child prepa^ 
ed to embark for England, to lay the subject before Par^ 
liament. This, however, he was prevented from doing 
by the interference of the magistrates, who caused him 
to be arrested the evening previous to his intended depa^ 
ture. His trunks were at the same time seized aod 
searched. Similar violence was used towards another 
gentleman who had signed the petition, in whose ^study' 
were found copies of letters, SzrC. designed for England. 
Dr. Child was carried before the council, by whom be 
was told that provided his deportment became more re- 
spectful towards the gentlemen of the court, "he should 
be treated in a manner suited to his quality ;" otherwise he 
was threatened with irons and imprisonment. The coun- 
cil then ordered the marshal to take him in custody, in 
whose keeping he remained until the ships had sailed, 
when be was permitted to coAtinue a prisoner in his own 
house on giving bonds for his appearance at the next term 
of the Court of Assistants. He appeared, but it was a- 
greed to refer his case to the cognizance of the General 
Court, and he was offered his liberty, restricted, however, 
to Boston, provided he would give security to appear be- 
fore that body. The Doctor chose to go to prison rather 
than comply with these terms, and was accordingly com- 
mitted. This was in March, 1647.f How soon he was 
set at liberty, does not appear, nor on what conditions ; but 
the next year we find him in England, where his exer- 
tions to effect the same object were also defeated. He 
appears not to have returned to this country. 

A full account of the proceedings in relation to this 
subject, was published in England after the return of Dr. 
Child, by his brother, Major Child of Kent, in which the 
conduct of the petitioners was vindicated. "There was 
a simultaneous struggle for toleration," says a late writer, 
"in the old colony, promoted by Mr. William Vassalh^J 



•Winthrop. u. 291. Ubid. u. 384-301. ^N. E. Memorial Note by 
the Editor. 236. ^ 



AND BIDDErORD. 77 

attempt likewise failed. The want of success at- 
ng the petitioners of both colonies, has been ascri- 
to the skilful management of Gov. Edward Winslow, 
'ew Plymouth, who was then in England, and in 
: esteem with many of the members of Parliament 
the principal persons in power. Id reply to the 
cation of Maj. Child, Mr. Winslow published a 
)hlet entitled *^New England's Salamander discover- 
"pointing therein at Mr. Vassall," says Winthrop, "a 
never at rest but when he was in the fire of conten- 

$veral members of the court of Assistants dissented 
the harsh proceedings against Dr. Child and bis fel- 
letitioners. But Gov. Winthrop, who contended for 
divine authority of magistrates, was active in their 
mention. Nevertheless a strong party was raised in 
favor, and the following year the re-election of the 
rnor met with serious opposition. 
r. Child studied medicine at the university of Padua, 
ily, where he received his medical diploma. This 
imstance is alluded to in an answer to the remon- 
ce or petition, which was published with the sanc- 
of the Gen. Court, in the following terms : "The 
(and he that must be a leader in this design) is a Pa- 
Doctor (as he is reputed) lately come into the coun- 
ts ho hath not so much as tasted of their grievances, 
is like to do, being a bachelor, and only a sojourner, 
never paid penny to any public charge, though fof 
mn good will) he hath done something for public 
' Dr. Child appears to have been a gentleman 
>rtune ; he of course intended to reside in N. Eng- 
, and in conjunction with the others, driven out of the 
itry at the same time, would doubtless have proved a 
ible acquisition. One only of the petitioners remain- 
1 the colony, Mr. Maverick of Noddle's island, *who 
experience enough of the Mass. rulers,' says the can- 
editor of Winthrop's Journal, *to know that their in- 
•ance sometimes yielded to interest.' Our own in- 
tants had great reason to regret the want of success 
iding these exertions to introduce the principle of 
ration into the civil code of the puritans ; since a pa- 




Td HISTORY Ol" SkCC 

tentee so liberal and enterprising as Dr. Child, might 
justly have been expected to promote the growth and 
prosperity of the infant settlement. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Our early settlers, as we have already stated, were not 
like the other fathers of N. England, religious sectarians, 
flying from the intolerance of their native land. They 
were emigrants from motives of interest, brought hither 
by tne same impulse that even at the present day carries 
men of an enterprising character to the very corners of 
the earth. Cherishing a strong attachment to the church 
in whose bosom they were reared, one of their first mea-* 
sures was to provide for the support of a religious teacher 
among them from her communion. In other respects, toO} 
they carefully conformed to the institutions and laws of 
the mother country, designed to regulate the moral and reli- 
gious character of the people. Profaneness, neglect of 
the sabbath, and immoralities of various kinds, were pun* 
ished by the same penalties that were inflicted in England. 
In removing to so wide a distance, therefore, from the 
jurisdiction under which they had lived, the colonists 
brought with them the salutary restraints and venerated 
observances that existed there. A community strictly ^ 
English in its character wad thus established on our shores, « 
and continued so to exist until changed in its features by " 
the extension of the power and the principles, both civil J 
and religious, of the puritan colonies. 

The first clerg}'man who settled in the vicinity of Saco ^ 
river, was the Rev. Richard Gibson. He is said to have-^ 
come over at the desire of Mr. Trelawney, probably firom ^ 
his having resided at Spurwink near the establishment:::^ 
of that gentleman, and having been partly supported ^ 
by him. His name first occurs in the records of the 
courts of 1636, already quoted. It appears from a later 
record that be had 'corn growing at Saco' ; it is probable 



AiTD BIDDEVOR». 79 

•DOugh that the English custom of paying tithes or a tenth 
part of the products, was practised, although a 'coniposi- 
tion' in money was paid by many of the planters. At the 
close of 1640, or early in the following year, Mr. Gibson 
removed to Portsmouth* He is supposed to have been 
the first minister of that place.^ While at Pascataqua, he 
was summoned to Boston to answer the charge of marry- 
ing and baptizing at the isles of Shoals. The lawjs of the 
Mass. colony forbade the practice of the clerical duties 
to any of the church of England. "He being wholly 
addicted to the hierarchy and discipline of England," 
says Winthrop, "did exercise a ministerial function in the 
same way, and did marry and baptize at the Isle of Shoal?, 
which was found within our jurisdiction." Mr. Gibson, 
moreover, had written a letter to a minister at Dover, 
Mr. Larkham, in which he spoke in no very respectful 
terras of the Mass. government, ^denying their title in 
those parts,f and thereby disafiecting the people.' For 
these heinous ofiences, on presenting himself at Boston, 
be was committed to custody, in which he continued 
Beveral days, till at length "he made a full acknowledge- 
ment of all he was charged with, and submitted himself 
to the favor of the court. Whereupon" (continues Win- 
sbrop) "to regard he was a stranger and was to depart 
^e couBtry in a few day«, he was discharged without 
QHfiy fine or other punishment."' So great lenity would not 
liaTe been shown, it seenos^ had not Mr. Gibson design- 
ed to leave New England innnediately. These circum^ 
stances occurred 16^. 

The Rev. Robert Jordan arrivect from the west of 

I£ngland, probably in the summer of 1640. He was ap- 

mmrted in that year arbitrator in a dispute between 

Cleaves and Royal. Mr. Jordan married the daughter 

«md only child of Mr. Winter, and on the decease of bis 

dther in law about 1648, he administered on bis estate* 

In the inventory of property in joint ownership between 

Trelawney and Winter, the articles of use m the church 

service are enumerated ; the communion vessels, cusb- 

*Adaiiia' Aniiali of Portsmoutli. tReferring without doabt to th9 
fiior till^of' Rdbwt OorgM. 



80 HISTORY or 8ACa 

ions, be. i;irhich had been furnished by Mr. Trelawnef. 
In the account exhibited by Mr. Jordan against the estatei 
we find the following items : ''For his charge (of ib$ 
plantation) one half year, 201. ; for his ministry as bf 
composition^ one half year, 10/." The plantation wia 
deeply in debt to Mr. Winter, and by a decree of jfae 
court of Lygonia, the whole property of the patent and 
tlie personal estate, and every thing belonging to the et- 
tabiishment, was assigned to Mr. Jordan as his heir. 

These early clergymen probably divided their sabbatk 
ministrations between the Spurwink and Casco settle 
ments, and Saco. We find 'the Church Point' mention- 
ed in the boundaries of an estate at Winter Harbor ia 
1642 ; it is quite probable, therefore, that a small church 
was erected there. Mr. Jordan continued to reside at 
Spurwink until the breaking out of the Indian War in 
1675, when he removed to Great Island, now Newcasde, 
at the mouth of the Pascataqua, then a part of Por^ 
mouth. He died at that place four years after at the age 
of 78 years, bequeathing an immense real estate to Ms 
six sons, situated principally in the towns of Scarboro' 
and Cape Elizabeth. To his wife, whose name was 
Sarah, the daughter of Mr. Winter, he gave the old plan- 
tation at Spurwink, containing 1000 acres of land, and 
the Nonesuch farm in Srarboro' of 2000 acres ; the re- 
version of the former, after her death, to his youngest son 
Jeremiah ; the latter to be disposed of by her to any of 
the children at her pleasure. To his sons DominicuSf 
Jedediah and Samuel, each 1000 acres at Spurwink. 
To his oldest sons, Robert and John, he had before grant- 
ed estates ; to the former ''a tract of land commonly calt 
ed Cape Elizabeth,'' making a reservation in favor of John 
of Richmond's Island, "of ingress and regress to Alewife^B 
pond for bait." John's deed conveyed to him Rich- 
mond's island together with 'the houses, stages, and build- 
ings thereupon,' and 300 acres of land lying next adjoin- 
ing the marsh. The island contains about 300 acreSi 
and is now the property of one of the numerous descen- 
dants of Robert Jordan.* 

*The name of Jordia was early introdooed into the Virginia o«do* 




' The Rev. Thomas Jenner, a non-conformiit minister, 
WM preaching here in 1641 • The foUewing letter is found 
in the valuable collection of original papers published by 
Goreraor Hutchinson 1769. 

liErTER FROM ThoMAS JeNNER TO GoV. WiNTHROP. 

Worthy Sir, — Your pious and good letter I received ; 
ht which I humbly thank you. Your judicious counsel 
j therein 1 lovingly embrace, as concurring fully with mine 
owne judgment ; hence have I not troubled the people at 
aD with church discipline, or constitutions of churches, &;c. 
kt have bent my whole studdies to shew them their mis- 
erable and lost estate without Christ t^. nor have I en- 
■veyed ("inveighed) in the least measure against the church 
of England (to my remembrance,) but have been (and 
still am) very fearfull to give one word of distast about 
those things, but altogether do seek to gaine them to 
Christ. True I do acknowledge that after I had been 
kre for the space of a month or six weeks and perceiv- 
ing them very superstitious (performing man's invention 
lather than the instituted worship of God) now that I 
might gaine their good esteeme of God's pure ordinances, 
and make them see the evil and folly of their supersti- 
tion and will-worship, t made choice of Ps. 19 and 7 to 
handle it at large ; and in one of the uses of reproof I 
heat myself as strongly as I could against the religion of 
Ae Papists, and condemned tliose practices which I saw 
people here were superstitiously addicted to, in that use 
against the Papists ; whose religion 1 showed, at large, 
tooaislied either of new instructed worship not men- 
lioDed in the law of God, or of God's instituted worship 
oiserably abused, either by their addidons or diminutions : 
and showed the particulars wherein. Now, (I heartily 
flunk God for it) it took a general! good impression, ex- 

Zyind stiU eiiilfl to some extent in the pBxtB of that state first set- 
^ i Mr 8unael Jordan is mentioned by Smith (Hist, of Virginia 
^7^ 9M* fortifying and living in despite of the enemy' (the natives) 
tfter the dreadful massacre in that colony 1622. Thomas Jordan, ad- 
tntted freeman at Boston 1647, settled m Guilford, Conn. Francis 
«id Stephen were at Ipswich 1634-48. The latter died at MeW" 
\ny 1670. Fanner's Genealogical Register. 

8 



8S HISTORY or SACO 

cept Mr. Vines and one more who told me I struck at the 
Church of England, though I mentioned her not. Where- 
upon he pressed me to dispute with him about oue paiti 
ol baptizing infants with godfathers and godmothers ; the 
which I was very loth to dispute about ; yet I saw that 
either I must, or else sit down with shame, for he had 
called together his whole family to hear it. Now it pleas- 
ed Grod so to strengthen me (through the riches of his 
mercy) that he was utterly silent ; and since that time 
hath manifested more respect and love to me and my 
master than formerly, and doth take notes of the sermooi 
dayly and repeateth them in his family very orderly as I 
am informed. Thus, Sweet Sir, I make very bold to 
confirme your worship with the truth of things, though not 
worth the writing. I have been solicited both from the 
inhabitants of Straten's Plantation (Black-point) and fifOA 
those of Caskoe, to be a meanes to help each of them 
to a goodly minister ; wherefore I do make bold to intreat 

5 our worship to do your endeavors to furnish them bothi 
?hus hoping ere long to see yoiir face, I leave you in the 
arms of our blessed Saviour, in whome also I rest, Tour 
Worship's to command tiU death. 

THOMAS JENNER. 
Saco, 16 of the 2d, (April,) 1641. 

Mr. Jenner settled at Weymouth, Mass. 1636. h i 
division of land made in that town the same year, two 
lots were assigned to Mr. Thomas Jenner, senior and 
Junior ;* from which we infer that father and son wen 
Doth there. Another minister. Rev. Joseph Hull^reacb- 
ed in Weymouth at the same time. In 1637, Winthrop 
informs us, '^Divers of the elders went to Weymouth to 
reconcile the differences between the people and Mr. 
Jenner, whom they had called thither with intent to have 
him their pastor. They had good success of their pray- 
ers." It is conjectured that some misunderstanding aroae 
on account of the close neighborhood of Mr. HuU, whose 
friends may have opposed the labors of Mr. Jenner. 

^Letter from Hon. C. Webb of Weyinoiith, commmuoated 1^ 
Rev. i. Bent. 



AHD BIDDBFOmD- 83 

There were &t that period about sixty families in Wey- 
mouth, all living withiu the circumfereoce of a little more 
than one mile. The town was represented at the Gener^ 
al Court 1640 by Mr. Jenner.* He soon after came to 
this place, where he remained about two years. Mr. Jen- 
uer was probably the first non-conformist or puritan minis-^ 
ter that preached in Maine. He appears to have beea 
pleased with his success in correcung the ^superstitious' 
notions of our people. In December, 1649, Thomas 
Jenner of Cbarlestown, sold to Elder Bate and John 
Whitman of Wevmouth, his dwellinghouse and land in 
the latter town.f This however may not have been the 
clergyman, of whom we next hear in Norfolk, England, 
in a letter firom Gov. Edward Window, dated at Londoni 
April 17, 1651. Mr. Jenner had left his library io this 
country, which Mr. Winslow then purchased, taking a 
catalogue of the books, and advancing 50Z. to him on ac- 
count of his ^pressinc necessities.' Mr. Winslow was at 
tliat time the agent oi a society formed in New England 
ibr the benefit of the Indians ; a part of whose plan it 
was to establish seminaries of learning for their education. 
The library of Mr. Jenner was purchased in connection 
with this object. The corresponding committee of the 
society, in answer to the letter of Mr. Winslow, say : 
*^We shall inquire after the catalogue of Mr. Jenner's 
iMX>ks, and endeavor that neither your nor our end there- 
in be frustrated. It is apprehended by some that accord- 
ing to the act of Parliament, an eye may be had in the dis- 
tributions to the enlargement of the College at Cambridge, 
whereof there is great need, and the furtherance of learn- 
ing not so immediately respecting the Indian design."! 

■■■ ™ ' ■ I I ■ I I ■ ■ I H I I I I I 

*it is Mi||»poped by tb* editor of Winthrop, i. 250, and bv Mr. 
Webb, tbat it was tbe miniiter wbo represented Weymonth. Were 
it noA afeinst sucb reepeotable aDthority, we should conieetcire diAit* 
maij: tMr. Webb's letter. ^Hazard. CoU. u. 178-60. 



/• 



84 HISTOIT or SAOO 



CHAPTER Vn. 

The political afiairs of the Province, m which the iri* 
habitants on Saco river bore a conspicuous part, will i* 
gain demand the attention of our readers. A new chn 
mant to the territory of Maine appeared after the death 
of Rigby, and assisted in defeating the expectations o{ 
the heir of Lygonia. This was no other than the cokqf 
of Mass. Bay. As early as 1639, this government set 
up a claim to Mason's province of New Hampshire bf 
stretchine their northern limit three miles above the heifll 
of the Merrimac. Their charter or patent conveyed to 
them "all that part of New England which lies and ei« 
tends between Merrimac and Charles rivers," and ahdt 
three miles north of the former, and every part thereof' 
and the same distance south of the latter. It is evideof 
that the course of the Merrimac was supposed to be onlf 
east, parallel to that of the Charles, by the grantors ; bH 
on discovering that its bead was situated far to the ooitk 
of the limit thus established, the Massachusetts patenteei 
determined to take advantage of the error, and ovei^ 
throw the titles of other proprietors, holding like thenh' 
selves under the Council of Plymouth. This coustmcf 
tion of the charter brought within their jurisdiction ne8^ 
ly all the settlements in Maine. But as Gorges had recenV 
ty received a royal confirmation of his grant, no attempi 
was made at that time to extend their claim into his pro^ 
vince. The misfortunes of the Lord Proprietor, and the 
divided state of the towns after the death of Rigby, afi 
forded the colony a convenient opportunity for establish*! 
ing its jurisdiction in this quarter. In 1653, a committee 
of the General Court, appointed to determine the northen 
limits of their patent, reported in favor of a point threi 
miles north of an outlet of Lake Winnipiseogee, suppo 
sed to be the head of the Merrimac. A parallel to th< 
equator running through this point, was found to strike 
Clapboard island in Casco bay, a few miles east of th< 
town of Casco. Commissioners were sent "to treat will 
the gentlemen of the eastward," ip the suvnmer of tha 



/^ 



Ajtm Bi^DUPoaB, 8fr 

ur, who repaired to Kittery for the purpose of confer* 
g with the officers chosen by the Combination. Gov. 
dfrey, with his council, resolutely denied the right of 
IBS. to any portion of the Province of Maine, l^ere- 
jo the commissioners published a protest against the 
boriqr of Godfrey, declaring the province to be within 
! limits of the patent of Mass. and invited the inhabi* 
ts to submit to the jurisdiction of its government, 
is document is dated at Kittery, 9 July, 1652.* An 
wer to the protest was issued the same day by the o^ 
UTS of the province, in which they say that the bounds 
Mass. were determined twenty years before, since 
ich time many grants had been made in this quarter ; 
um of £35000 expended in promoting the settlement 
Jie country ; and a lawful jurisdiction exercised, which 
I been acknowledged by Massachusetts, and approved 
Ejigland. A correspondence passed at the same time 
ween Gov. Godfrey and the Secretary of Mass. in be* 
f of the General Court. Something was said by the 
»r, in a conciliatory style, of the favors that would be 
>wn to the inhabitants on acknowledging their jurisdic- 
a, to which Godfrey replies : "As for snaring your fa- 
's to us : by your favor, gentlemen, we are loath to 
t with our precious liberties for unknown and uncer- 
1 favors. We resolve to exercise our just jurisdiction 
it shall please the Parliament, the Common Weale of 
igland, otherwise to order, under whose power and 
>tection we are."f 

An appeal to Parliament had been made nearty two 
aurs before by the Combination, praying to be constitu- 
I a part of the Commonwealth of En^and, "that tb^ 
d their posterity might enjoy the immunities and privi- 
;e8 of freebom Englishmen ;" but without success. It 
conjectured that the object of this petition was defeated 
the agents of Mass. who represented to Parliament 
It the petitioners, however respectful in their language, 
ire but royalists in disguise. There was little reason 
' confidence in that body, therefore, at the present juno- 



*lluard. i. 568. nbid.i.5€7. 8iimTan.331. 



r 



86 HisTOHT or SACa 

ture, and finding that the Mass. goremnient were received 
to persevere with their claim, the inhabitants at length con- 
sented to acknowledge the authority of the commissioners, 
and the Jurisdiction of that colony. The board was coiiH 
posed of Simon Bradstreet, afterwards governor of Alassa* 
chusetts, Samuel Simonds, Thomas Wiggen, and Bryaa 
Pendleton, who met the inhabitants of Kittery at the 
house of William Everett, 16 Nov. 1652. The submiB- 
sion of Oorgeana followed on the 22d of the same mondh 
"Mr. Godfrey did forbear until the vote was passed by 
the rest, and then immediately he did by word and vole 
express his consent."* The commissioners made ne 
farther progress that season. The following year a nevr 
board was appointed by the General Court, consistiag 
of Richard Bellingham, Deputy Governor, afterwards 
Governor of the Colony ; Thomas Wiggen, one of the 
Assistants ; Maj. General Dennison ; Edward RawsoBi 
Secretary ; and Benjamin Pendleton. These gentlemen 
held their first session at the house of Mr. Joseph Emei^ 
son in Wells, July 4, 1653. The inhabitants of that 
town were then summoned to acknowledge themsekes 
subject to the government of Mass. Six only appeared^ 
but on the following day most of them submitted. At 
the same time, "the inhabitants of Saco being by name 
particularly called, made their appearance accord- 
mg to their summons, and those whose names are here 
nnderwritten, acknowledged themselves subject to the 
government of the Massachusetts, as witness their hands 
this 5th of July, 1653 1"" (Signed) Thomas WiUiams^ 
William Scadlock, senior, Christopher Hobbs, Thomas 
Reading, John West, Thomas Haley, Richard Hitchcockf 
James Gibbins, Thomas Rogers, Philip Hinkson, Peter 
Hill, Robert Booth, Richard Cummin, Ralph TristraiDi 
George Barlow, and Henry Waddock.f Power was 
granted to three of this number to receive the submissioB 
of others, and the same year we find these additional 
tiames : Ambrose Berry, Nicholas Buly, Andrew Auger, 
or Alger, John Halycom, John Leighton, senior, Roger 

*Repoit of tiie GommiHkmtni. Mam. Records. il\ad. 



AND BmDIMmD. 9f 

Hill, fidmin] Andrews, Mr. John Smith, WilikiHi Sctd** 
look, junior, Walter Pennell*. The inhabkants becaine 
freemen of the cdonj^ by taking the customaiy oath 
of freedons, which bound them to be faitbfnl to the gov* 
ernment, and to give their vote and suffrage in matter^ 
of eiBte, as they should in conscience judge best for the 
puUie g^KMl.f T^e limitation of freedom, or the right of 
dtizenshtp, to members of the churches of the Coknj, 
was BtiH in force, but was dispensed with in relation to 
the inhabitants of Maine, from manifest necessity, the 
greater part of them being of the church of England. 

A sense of the injustice of the Mass. chum and a deep- 
rooted aversion to the principles of that colonv, operated 
strongly on many of the inhabitants, and led ttiem to ex-* 
press an open contempt of its assumed jurisdiction. John 
Bonython, together with Mr. Jocelyn of Black-point, and 
Mr. Jordati of Spurwink, were so active in their opposi- 
tion, that an order was issued for tlieir arrest. The two 
ktter were required to give bonds for their appearance 
before the General Court. Bonython escaped, where** 
upon a decree of outlawry was published against him in 
the foHewing words : 

^KkAonj of Massachusetts Bay. At a general coint 
held 1658. Whereas the town xk Saco, within the line 
of our patent, in or near the bounds whereof John Bony- 
thon liveth, have generally submitted themselves and their 
knds to the government and jurisdiction of the Massachu- 
setts : and whereas there are great and frequent com- 
plaints made to this court, by several credible persons, 
that the said Bonython, attending no government, doth 
molest both his neighbours, and others that t)ccasionally 
traffic or fish in those parts, and by his outrageous car- 
riages hath maimed some, and put others in danger of 
their lives, by his lawless and itnperious actions. And 
whereas legal courses have been taken, and much pa- 
tience has been used for his reducement into some tolera- 
ble demeanor^ hitherto not only in vain, -but instead of 
oomplyaBce, ^e hath sent contemptuous and rayling 



rrown lUconis. f Ancient Charters and Laws of Mue. Bey/ p. 71]?. 




08 BISTOftT or BACO 

turns to thk gOFeromeDt or authority here. Whereupon^ 
this court considering the premises, doth dedare the said 
Bonytbon a rebel, or common enemy, and intend to fith 
ceed against .him accordingly ; yet because this court b 
very loth to use extremities, if it may stand with justtce, 
our peace and honor, to exercise some further delajr». 
therefore this court doth hereby express themselves wil- 
ling to give the said Bonython time till the first day of 
August next, peaceably to render himself into the hands 
of the governor, and such other of the maci^ratesas 
shall then be in or near Boston, that his case beiog duly, 
and seasonably considered, there may be such an issue 
put to the same, as shall be meet ; which clemency thus 
tendered, if neglected or contemned, it is resolved by 
this court, to proceed against him as a rebel or commoa, 
enemy, to the pipople of these parts of New England 
and this government, in special to the people inhabiting, 
near unto the place of bis residence. And further this 
court doth impower any person that hath submitted to this 
government after the first of August, to apprehend the 
said Bonython by force, and bring him, alive or dead, lo 
Boston, declaring and proclaiming, that whosoever shall 
so do, shall have twenty pounds paid him for his service 
to the country, out of the common treasury, which mar 
be levied, with other charges, upon the said Bonython^ 
esute.*' 

. Messrs. Jordan and Jocelyn appeared in 1657 before 
the General court, and had their recognizances dischar- 
ged ; and Bonython, the following year made his submis- 
sion as follows : ''Whereas the General Court have taken 
great ofl^nce against me as appears by their proclama- 
tion sent out the last court holden at Boston, lor several 
ofiences therein expressed ; Now by what you their Com- 
missioners have spoken in reference thereunto, and also 
having had time to reflect upon my former acdons, I dp 
freely acknowledge my great miscarriage therein, and 
especial^ by my rash provoking letter sent to the magis- 
trates or Gen. Court, for which I am heartily sornr, and 
do humbly and thankfully accept of the act of indemni- 
tjr and oblivion passed by your Worships, this present 



iJIO BIDDCrOBBr 89 

ceuit, with special respect to my particular case, having 
first testified my submission to the authority of the Mass. 
jurisdiction. John Buntthon. 

At a Court holden at Falmouth, July 14, 1658." 

The Commissioners forthwith issued the following proc- 
lamation : '^Whereas John Bonythoo for several offen- 
ces mentioned in a proclamation of the last general court, 
had time afiorded him for his yielding himself into the 
hand of authority ; and to give satisfaction touching the 
same, otherwise after the first of September to stand in 
peril of his life, as by the said proclamation doth appear, 
and whereas the court sent us their commissioners, whose 
names are hereunder written, invested with power, a- 
mongst other things, to grant protection and immunities, 
and to settle the government in Yorkshire to the utmost 
extent of their line ; the said Bonytbon did personally 
appear before us, sitting in open court, and after some 
time spent in setting forth the evils of such miscarriages, 
and provoking offences, as were set forth in said procla- 
ihation mentioned, he the said Bonytbon, made his full 
acknowledgement under his hand, and yielded, and sub« 
scribed his subjection to this government, whereby any 
man may now have his legal course in any civil action 
against him. The people of these parts also having 
fully submitted themselves unto the government of the 
Massachusetts ; wherefore we thought it necessary forth- 
with, to make this matter known throughout the country, 
that the dangers of the life of the said John Bonython 
may be prevented, which if henceforth any should at- 
tempt it, is contrary to the intent of the general court, 
the end being obtained whfch was intended, namely, hi^ 
reducement ; and we hereby declare his discbarge." 
Signed by the commissioners. 

In the meantime Mr. George Cleaves sent a petition to 
Ma^. in behalf of the province of Lygonia, and from 
the reply made to him, he appears to have ofiered 
proposals for a compromise of some sort. ^'In answer 
to ttie propositions presented to the court by Mr. George 
Cleaves, employed by several inhabitants of the northern 
parts of our patent, pretended by them to be the pro-' 




90 nivroKt or saco 

^nce of Ljgonia, the court having compared the patenis 

Eroduced by Mr. Cleaves with our own, do find ours to 
ave the precedency," he. This document h dated 
24th October, 1655.* The same year, Capt. afterwardi 
Gov. John Leverett, being appointed agent of Mass. m 
England, received instructions from the General Coniti 
touching this subject among others. Cromwell being 
then at the bead of afiairs, great care was taken to se- 
cure his favor to the colony ; in the language of Leverett'i 
ikistructions, "that all complaints made against them by 
one or other might take no place in his princely breast." 
"If any complaint be made by Mr. Rigby, concerning 
our claim by virtue of our patent, as intrenching upon 
what he calls the province of Lygonia, you may for the 
present make the best answer you may for the reasons 
expressed in our answer to Mr. Rigby's agent, a cop^ 
whereof we herewith deliver to you, which if it satis^ 
not, you may crave liberty for our further answer.^'f 
Nothing more is heard, however, of Lygonia ; in such 
favor were they of Massachusetts with "his princely high- 
ness," the Protector, that all efibrts to resist their usurpa- 
tion were at this time fruitless. The remaining towns in 
the province submiuedin 1658; when Cleaves, Jocelyni 
Jordan, Foxwell, Watts, and Bonython, with other io-^ 
habitants, took the oath of allegiance. Black-point and 
Casco received the names of Scarboro' and Falmouth 
from the commissioners. 

The point on the sea-coast terminating the northern 
line of the Mass. patent as then fixed, seems not to have 
been determined until late in the year 1653. Messrs. 
Clarke and Andrews employed for this purpose, report- 
ed that "the line ran over the northernmost point of the 
upper Clapboard island, about a quarter of a mile from 
the main in Casco bay, four or five miles to the north- 
ward of Mr. Mackworth's bouse." This gentleman 
dwelt many years near the mouth of Presumpscot river, 
on the ea^em side, where he received a grant of 600 
acres from Mr. Vines as the agent of Gorges, in 1635; 



«Htiard. 1.396. tlbid.LeOT. 



/ 



AWB BIDDBTOBB. 91 

The idace is now called Mackay's poiot.* East of Clap- 
board island, therefore, Mass. claimed do jurisdictioD. 
Tbe colony of New Plymouth, tlirough their Kennebec 
patent, established a government in that quarter 1654, to 
which the inhabitants with Mr. Thomas Purchas of Pe* 
gymoot, at their head, yielded obedience. 

Thus the ^grasping' colony of Mass. Bay, as it was 
aptly termed by Godfrey, and its sister of Plymouth, di- 
vided among them the lawful inheritance of the heirs of 
Goi^es and Rigby. The former constituted the newly 
acquired territory a county with the name of Yorkshire. 
An annual court was ordered to be holden at York, by 
one of the Assistants or principal magistrates of the Colo- 
ny, together with four associates or commissioners, to be 
nominated by the freemen of the county, and approved 
by the General Court. The 6rst bench of associates was 
composed of '^che right trusty** Mr. Edward Godfrey, 
(late governor^ Mr. Abraham Preble, Mr. Edward John- 
son, and Mr. Edward Rishworth, all of York. Henry 
Norton, of the same place, was appointed marshal or 
aberiff of the county. The first court under this juris- 
diction sat in 1653, at which the 'Right Worshipful Kich- 
ard Bellingham,' presided.f The associates, or a part 
of their number, were authorized to hold inferior courts 
in diflbrent towns of the county. 

This state of things continued without interruption un- 
til after the restoration of Charles II. to the throne of 
England, in 1660, when the old party favorable to Gor- 
ges began to revive. Sir John Gorges was now dead, 
and the estate had passed into the more efficient hands df 
his aon, who inherited something of the resolute s|Hrit of 
the old proprietor. The young Sir Ferdinaiido petition- 
ed the crown to be restor^ to his lawful inheritance, and 
communicated with a number of the inhabitants of the 
province, opposed to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. 

*P»rliaM B eorrnptioB of the name of the old proprietor. See 
Jffood7*8 Cbert of CeMo Bey. 

tMr. Bellingbam is said to have had more tLgvncj than any other 
nuiffiatrate, in framing the legal oode of the Mass. Colony, Hntch- 
iaeoB. Hist i. 386. ^ 




BUTOn or SA€0 

He obtained letters from the King addressed to the g 
emor of that colony, requiring restitution lo be nu 
forthwitli to his aeent, or otherwise to show reason 
their occupation of the Province. The colony in ret 
made a humble address to the throne justifyins the cou 
they had taken. The agent of Gorges Mr. j. Archdi 
meantime came into the Province with commisaon 
the following persons as counsellors or magistrates un< 
his authority ; viz. F. Champernoon, Robert Cutts, i 
T. Withers, of Kittery ; E. Rishworth and F. Rayi 
of York ; J. Bowles of Wells ; Francis Hooke of Sai 
H. Watts of Blue*point ; H. Jocelyn of Black*point ; 
Jordan of Spiirwink ; Francis Neale of Casco ; and 
Purcbas of Pegy pscot. Numerous prosecutions of the c 
affected inhabitants soon after followed in the court! 
Mass. Jocelyn, Champemoon, Jordan, and Niche 
Sbapleigh were presented by the grandjury in 1663, *' 
acting against the authority they were under, and so 
Bouncing the authority of Mass., using means for the s 
verting thereof under pretence of a sufficient power fir 
Esq. Gorges to take off the people, which is manifes 
the contrary." William Hilton of Kittery,* constal 
was presented ''for tearing of a special warrant, sent 
the Secretary from Boston to Kittery for sending a de 
ty to the General Court.** "We present," say th 
'*the freemen of Saco, Mr. Williams, R. Hitchcock, 
Trustram, H. Waddock, J. Gibbins, Nic. Edgecomb, 
Sanders, J. Smith, R. Cummins, T. Rogers, J. Bonigbl 
and R. Hill, for their neglect in not submitting to si 
commands as have been required, in the due obsen 
of such orders as by oath as freemen they have boi 
themselves unto. We present Mr. Thomas Booth 
vain swearing and slandering' the country by saying^ 
were a company of hypocritical rogoes, they fearedi 
ther God, nor the King,' with o^r cmcivil speed 
We present Mr. Fr. Hooke, who upon the Lord's c 
after Mr. Fletcher (minister of Saco) had exhorted 
people to be earnest in prayer to the Lord to direct tt 

*SuUivan, 373, layi JSntndel, a name of much later data. 



I" 



AKD BIDDKVORD. 93 

in respect thejr were under two claymes of govemmeiit ; 
tke said Hooke starts up aod answers Mr. Fletcher, ^be 
aeed not make such a preamble, for they were under 
Cptges' authority.' And the said Hooke doth act by bis 
intbority, granting warrants, summonses, taking deposi- 
tiQDSi and bearing causes. We present Mr. R. Jordan 
&r saying (among other things) that the governor of Bos- 
ton was a rogue, and all the rest thereof traitors and 
nbels against the King. We present James Wiggins,* 
who being at Wells about May last was twelve month, 
being asked by Goody Greene whether said Wiggins 
Would carry in a dish of meat to the Bay Magistrates,^ 
(tfaen sitting at Wells,) "answered with an oath, 'if it were 
Poison be would carry it them.' The court sentenced 
^^iggins to receive 15 lashes, and to find bonds of good 
t^obaviour, but afterwards commuted the punishment to a 
ficie of ten pounds. Mr. Francis Small was required to 
^Qswer "for saying in open court that Mr. Geo. Cleaves 
2^118 a traitor, and that he could prove that the said 
^Ifeaves said, that the King was an atheist, a papist, he. 
^tid it was proved in court that Cleaves so spake." 

Charles 11. directed his attention to New England soon 
^Iter bis restoration. In 1664, he appointed four Com- 
^^issioners to visit all the colonies, ''with full power to 
^^eive and determine complaints and appeals in all cau- 
ses and matters, and to settle the peace and security of 
^lie country ."f Three of the Commissioners, Sir Ko- 
l>ert CarTi George Cartwright and Samuel Maverick, 
^Isquires, came into this qu^er in the summer of 1665, 
'^ben they issued the folbwing proclamation : 

"June 23, 1 665. — Bv the King's Commissioners for 
ttKng the affitirs of New England. We having seen 
Xht several charters granted to Sir F. Gorges and to the 
^Qvporation of Mass. Bav, and having received several 
TMitbns from the inhabitants of the Province of Maine, 
•"Wvhicb b laid claim unto both by the heir of Sir F. Gor^ 
S^ aod the said corporation, in which petitions they de» 

, *8iiUiTUi says TkomaSf and ffives a somewhat different Yeraion of ^ 

tlwrtory. 373. f 

tSeetiie oommiMioBy Hntch. Hist. i.Appz. 15. Hasard. ii. 638. f 

9 




94 HISTORY OF 8ACO 

sire to be taken into bis Majesty's immediate protection 
and government, and having considered tbat it would be 
of ill consequence if tbe inhabitants of this province 
should be seduced by those of Mass. Bay, who have al« 
ready by the sound of the trumpet denied to submit 
themselves unto his majesty's authority, which by com- 
mission under his great seal of England he hath been 
pleased to entrust us with, looking upon themselves as die 
supreme power in these parts, contrary to their allegiance 
and derogatory to his Majesty's sovereignty : and being 
desirous that the inhabitants of this province may be at 
peace among themselves and free from the contests of 
others and the inconveniences that may thence necessari- 
ly arise. To the end that may be so : We by the pow- 
ers ^iven us by his sacred Majesty under his great seal 
of England, do by these presents receive all his Majesty's 
good subjects living within the province of Maine into bis 
Majesty's more immediate protection and govenmient 
And by the same powers, and to the end this province may 
be well governed, we hereby nominate and constitute Mr. 
F. Champemoon and Mr. R. Cutts of Kittery, Mr. E. 
Johnson and Mr. E. Rishworth of York, Mr. Samuel 
Wheelwright of Wells, Mr. F. Hooke and Mr. William 
Phillips of Saco, Mr. George Mounjoy of Casco, Mr. H. 
Jocelyn of Black-point, Mr. R. Jordan of Richmond's 
Island, and Mr. John WincoU of Newichawanock, (Ber- 
wick,) Justices of the Peace, and we desire, and m his 
Majesty's name we require, them and every of them, ta 
execute the office of a Justice of the Peace within die 
Province of Maine. And we hereby authorize and em- 
power Mr. H. Jocelyn, and Mr. E. Rishworth, Recorder, 
or either of them to administer the oath underwritten, 
(which themselves have taken before us,) to all the afore- 
named gentlemen who have not taken it, before they shall 
act as Justices of the Peace. And we hereby give power 
and authority to any three of the abovenamed Justices of 
tbe Peace to meet at convenient times and places as here- 
tofore other Magistrates have met, or as they shall think 
most convenient, and there to hear and determine all cau- 
ses both civil and criminal, and to order all the afiairs of 



.« 



AND BIDDKTORB. 95 

Province for the peace, safety and defence thereof, pro- 
ceeding in all cases according to the laws of England as 
near as may be, and thus to do until his Majesty please 
to appoint another government. And in his Majesty's 
name we require and command all the inhabitants of this 
Ph>vince to yield obedience to the said Justices acting 
according to the laws of England as near as may be. 
And in his Mdesty's name we forbid as well the Comr 
missioners of Mr. Gorges, as the corporation of Mass. 
Bay, to molest any of the inhabitants of this Province 
with their pretences, or to exercise any authority within 
this (Nt)vince, until his Majesty's pleasure be further 
known, by virtue of their pretended rights. Given un- 
der our hands and seals at York within the said Province 
the 23 day of June, be. 1665." Signed and sealed by 
the commissioners abovenamed.* 

A provincial form of government, so ardently desired 
by a large proportion of our inhabitants, was thus re-es- 
tablished* Maine once more assumed an independent 
relation to the other colonies of New England. The 
friends of Gorges, relieved from the jurisdiction of Mass. 
and led to expect a speedy recognition of his proprietary 
claims, warmly supported the authority of the royal Ck>m- 
missioners. General Assemblies, composed of all in 
commission, and of burgesses, or deputies, from the 
several towns, were holden at this place, which appears 
to have been made the seat of the government. The 
Commissioners (who remained only a few weeks in the 
Province) directed that 'if the justices were equally divi- 
ded on any subject, Mr. Jocelyn should have the casting 
vote ; if he is not present, Mr. Jordan.' Another order 
allowed juries of seven men to be impanneled for the 
trial of cases, 'on account of the fewness of the inhabi- 
tants'.f The first inferior court under this organization 

*Coanty Records. SalHTan takes no notice of ibis docnment. It 
probably escaped bis enquiries. Tbe Dnke of York bad a jarisdie* 
tioD at this time east of tbe Kennebec, wbtch SnUi^an erroneously 
■apposed to bave extended west of tbat river. 

tA similar regulation existed in New York at that period. Smith. 
Hist. N. Y. 43. 



96 BISTORT or SACO 

of the government, was bolden at Wells in July foHow* 
iog ; the second at this place, Nov. 7. At the former 
it was ordered that 'every town shall take care that there 
be a pair of stocks, a cage and couckiiig stool* erected 
between this and the next Court.' William Phillips was 
appointed Major of the forces in the Province; R. 
Hitchcock and John Lazir, officers ofthe Saco and Ctpe 
Porpoise company. How long this state of things 
tinned, will appear in a sut>sequent chapter. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Our oldest existing book of town records commence^ 
with the year 1653, when the inhabitants passed under tb^ 
jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Nothing is known, there-^ 
fore, of the administration of town alB&irs before thai 
time. The Mass. Commissioners, who had full power 
arrange all matters, local as well as general, in the prcK 
vince, as they thought proper, ordered as folbws : 

"1. That Saco shall be a township by itselfand alwajs 
shall be a part of Yorkshire and shall enjoy protection^ 
equal acts of favor and justice with the rest of the peo- 
ple inhabiting on the south side of the river of Pascata- 
qua, or any other within the limits of our jurisdiction^ and 
enjoy the privileges of a town as others of the jurisdic- 
tion have and do enjoy, with all other liberties and privi- 
leges in our jurisdiction. 

2. That every inhabitant shall have and enjoy all their 
just proprieties, titles and interests, in the houses and 
lands which they do possess, whether by grant of the 
.town possession, or of the former general court. 

*Thi8 initrumfint for the panishment of conunon scolds, oonsisttd 
of a long beam moving on a fulcrum, like a well-sweep, eitendiiuf 
over a ponct or ot]^r collection of watei^ ; on one eztremi^ of whien 
a seat was placed for the enlprit. By a natural corruption it wa«.9f- 
tea called the ducking stool. Jacob. Law Diet. 



iin> BiDDCvoaD. 97 

3. That all the present inbabitantu of Saoo AM be 
freemen of the county, and having taken the oath of free- 
men, shall have liberty to give their votes for the election 
of governor, assistants, and other general officers of the 
country. 

4. That the said town shall have three men approved 
by the county courts from year to year, to end small cau- 
ses as other townships in the jurisdiction have, where no 
magistrate is according to law : and for the present year 
Mr. Thomas Williams, Robert Booth, and John West, 
are appointed and authorized to end all small causes un- 
der 4(>5. according to law. And further these conunis- 
sioners or any two of them, are and shall be empowered 
and invested with full power and authority as a magistrate, 
to keep the peace, and in all civil causes to grant attach- 
ments and executions if need require. Any of the said 
commisaoners have power to examine offenders, to com- 
mit to prison, unless bail be given according to law, and 
where these or any of these, shall judge needful, they 
shall have power to bind offenders to the peace on good 
behaviour. Also, any of the commissioners have power 
to administer oaths according to law, also to solemnize 
marriages according to law. It is further hereby order- 
ed, that for this present vear Mr. Thomas Williams, Ro- 
bert Booth, and John West, shall be the selectmen to or- 
der the prudential afiairs of the town- of Saco for this 
year. Lastly, it is granted that the inhabitants of Saco 
shall be from time to time exempted from all public rates, 
and that they shall always bear their own charges of the 
courts, and arising from among themselves. Ralph 
Tristram is appointed constable, and William Scadlock 
clerk of the writs and grandjuryman for this year. Rich- 
ard Hitchcock is appointed and authorized as a sergeant 
to exercise the soldieiy." 

The first meeting of the inhabitants of which a record 
has been found, was holden a week after their submission, 
12 July. A division of the great marsh in the lower part 
of Vines^s patent, was then made. The following is • 
transcript of the record. 

''July 13, 1653. The freemen of Saco being mett^ 
together to make division of lands and midows, first the 

9* 




99 MwTotnror SACa 

^ greet marsh is divided as folowetb : The maine body of 
^*the marsh ioto 7 lotts 3 ackors to a knt thus : In the 
northeast coroer Richard Cooman 4 pole ^ southwest- 
ward : Christopher Hobbs 4 pole ^ next to him : on the 
southwest Petter Hill 4 pole i : next on the southwest 
Nickolas Boljr 2 pole i which 2 p ^ runs quit through to 
the north west 50 pole in length. At the northwest cornor 
Andrew Auger the same length and bredth opposed to 
Richard Cooman 4 pole i Ambrose Beirie next to him 
westward: John Holyeom nexttoBirie: and the corners 
of marsh is divided amongst them 7 : John West is alot- 
ted the Cow Hand in lew of his part in the great marsh t 
Thomas Haile (H^ley) is gramed 2 akors of marsh next 
Puding point in that marsh at the end of the railes in the 
Cove : and the quantitie of an akor of upland adjoining 
to them most meete to plant upon and the most part of 
Puding point that portion of ground 1^ Phillip Hinksons 
house is to be devided betweene them as may be most 
convenient for their use. Richard Cooman (Cpmming) 
is granted one akor of marsh in the cove at the end of 
the railes next Thomas Hailes 2 akors of marsh. This 
much is divided and eranted this 12 of July by the select 
men of Saco 1653 Thomas Williams, Robert Booth*'' 

The next record, dated July 17, contnnles the divi* 
sion. "John Lighten is granted 6 akors of marsh being 
betweene Stonie stand and the seawall abudng upon the 
great pond from the upland streight down to the Creake 
at the seawall being at the southwest ond of the pond. 
Ralph Trustrum ie granted to have his six akors mension- 
ed upon his lease to ly in the cove at the southwest end 
of John Lightons marsh. Also Ralph Tmstrum is grant- 
ed 5 akors more of marsh at the lower end of bis 6 akors 
on both sides the Creeke next J. Leightons remning downe 
by 2 points of rockes to the Creeke. It is granted to R. 
Booth to have all those {k)rshions of marsh about Stonie 
Stand point from his house about point north east to 
the mill and so to J. Ligfatons marsh. Water Pennell iis 
granted 2 akors of marsh next Ralph Trustrums marsh 
on the southwest. It is granted to R. Booth and W. Pen» 
ndl to have all that neek of land commonly called Stonie 












-^ 


















AHB BIDDEfORD. ' 99 

Stand being 60 pde in bredth or thereabout be it more or 
less and so up into the woods south west until 1 50 akors 
be compleated with all the profits thereto belonging to the 
same next to R. Trustrunis on the south east of his lott." 

The following grant relates to the first sawmill erected 
on this river. 

''Sept. 27, 1653. It is granted by the townesmen of 
Saeo tliat Roger Spencer have libartie to set up a saw- 
mill within tb^r township provided that he doth make hir 
redie to doo execution within one year, and also that he 
shall have sufficient accomodation for such a work upon 
this condition that aH the townsmen shall have hordes 12d 
in a hundared cheaper than any stranger. Secondly that 
the townsmen shall be imployed in the worke before a 
stranger provided that they doo their worke so cheap as 
a stranger : this acomodation we have granted to him and 
his heaires forever."* 

A amilar grant was made not long after as follows. 
''Saco the 11 month, 17 day 1653. (Jan. 17, 1654.) 
Qranted to John Davies of York to have the priviledge 
to set up a sawmill upon the great falls of the river of 
Saco any where within the township of Saco and to have 
acomodation suffisieXt for that worke the most convenient 
that h6 can find next to Roger Spencer lately grant but 
not hinder any other worke or acommodation that hereaf- 
ter shall be granted if posible be can prevent their pre- 
judiee or hinderance of any man. Also the said Joha 
Oavis shall have timber land and midow suffisient for his 
worke if it is to be had about and above the falls ungrant- 
ed he is to finish this work within 2 years i after the date 
hereof, that in case he do nof finish it by that time yet he 
shall thenceforward pay all dues hereafter mentioned ia 
this covenant according to a proportionable value as by 
diligent imployment may be raited. And he is to set the 
townesmen on work above and before others strangera 
andbuy provisions of them before strangers at price cur* 
ent. The towne is to have hordes of bim for their owa 
use at 10«I a 100 under price curent» Aliso John Davis 

' *SiilHvui, p. 2S1 , WW not rtij svceewfol in deeyphering this grant. 





100 HiSTOliT OF SACO 

shall set up his forge in Saco and do such work for die 
inhabitants as they shall have need of in time convenient 
for curent price and curent pay so long as he (is) bbabi* 
tant in Saco or hath a dwelling there. 
The earliest entire list of town officers is dated 16 June 
1656, when were chosen Ralph Tristram, Constable ; T. 
Rogers, Grandjuryman ; Thomas Williams, Ambrose 
Berry, and Robert Boothj Commissioners: R. Booth, 
Clerk of the Writs ; (equivalent to town clerk ;) Henry 
Waddock, Mr. T. Williams, James Gibbins, R. Booth, 
A. Berry, R. Tristram, and Rich. Hitchcock, Pruden- 
tial men (Selectmen) ; T. Williams, Town Treasurer. 

It was ordered at a previous meeting, 1654, '^at i 
any outner desire to come into towne to inhabite, thejr 
shall first put in sufisient not to be chargeable to th^ 
towne." In 1659, we find, '*Mr. Edward Colcott is 
ceived an inhabitant into our towne of Saco. Allso h 
is granted a lott in our towne lying on the southwest sid 
of our river 20 poles broad next N. Buly, jr. and all th 
upland in the tract to fourtie pole in length being on 
north west side Buly's bouse And foure akors of tDa 
lying on the southwest side of Little river next Williai 
Deadlock between him and Rich. Hitchcox about the isl< 
ands." In 1671, a fine of ten pounds was imposed 
this lot 'for want of improvement according to town 
der.' This person was doubtless the same mentioned ii 
a former chapter, who according to Hubbard came ovei 
in 1631 to Pascataqua, and '*for want of a better was 
terwards for some years together chosen governor of 
plantations about Dover."* N. Buly, jr's, grant was **i 
oaco river near Puding point upon a little runlitt of wate 
coming out of the woods, in bredth fiftie poles, that is 
say : 20 poles on the lower side the gut or runlitt of water*^ 
and 30 poles on the hyer side next to John Wests laitehjr 
granted." 

The town commissioners or justices for the trial of pett3^ 
cases, entered their doings in the town book. The con*- 
missioners were annually elected by the townsmen* *\ ~ 

*See p^^ 43, and Hubbard. N. E. 819. He is atjried Jifr. ia o«m> 
teeords, a title denoting aome coneeqiience at that peiiod. 




AND BIBDEFORD. 101 

I commissioners' court held at Saco 1658, James Har- 
man is presented for swearing, cursing, and drimkenness, 
ind is fined fourtie shillings and bound to his good beba- 
Hour till tlie Countie Court, in a bond of ten pounds, and 
Ralph Trustram for him.*' 

*^Nov. 25, 1661. At a town court houlden at Ralph 
Frustram's house at Winter Harbor — an action of tres- 
pass entered by Lieut. William Phillips, plaintiff against 
Richard Hitchkox, of trespasse in cutting hay or grasse 
in his marsh, for the piff. 20^. damages and costs of 
Boun." 

Verdict of a jury of inquest : "The 27 of the 10 
month, 1658. A jury being somoned on account of the 
death of Mary Haile (Haley) brought in this verdict, 
riz. *We of the jury about Mary Haile have agreed 
that according to the evidence given too us that shee was 
accessary to her own death with over much eating and 
drinking : we not having any witnesse that shee was for- 
ced thereunto.' The jury were these Capt Rogger Spen- 
cer, Mr. T. Williams, Mordecai Crawilt, R. Trustram, 
P. Hill, John Hallsome, Jerimie Uni frees, R. Hill, J. 
Bouden." Another jury "impannelled to inquiere of the 
death of Lydrack Luscom six yere old. This jury re- 
turme this verdict : That he was drownded accedentally 
through his own defauk." 

The town was first represented at the Mass. General 
Court in 1 659, by Robert Booth ; the following year by 
Rich. Hitchcock.* In 1675, they appointed Capt. Rich. 
Waldron of Dover to be their deputy ; the colony laws 
not requiring that the representative of a town should be 
one of its inhabitants.f The town was not represeuted 
in the Mass. Gen. Court at any other time during that 
century. Under the Government of the King's Com- 
missioners 1667, Bryan Pendleton was elected Burgess 
to attend the Gen. Court of the Province. 

In some of the town grants the reservation is made, 
'except any one can show a better title than the town 
hath.' The lands granted were situated in the patent of 
Dr. Child ; the freenien strictly were not entitled to the 



^Records Gen. Court. iAncient Ch&rters and Laws. 97. 




102 UISTORT or SACO 

disposal of them, but no intelligence having been received 
from the patentee at that time, they assigned lots to those 
who would improve them, without warranting the good^ 
ness of the title. In 1G56, three executions were levied 
on the patent in satisfaction of judgments granted by the 
court at Salem to Joseph Armitage of Lynn, against 
Messrs. John Beex and Company of London, a mercan- 
tile house of extensive connections in New England. Dr. 
Child probably sold to them, but at what time we are 
not informed. Armitage was the assignee of Samuel 
Bennett and Henry Tucker, creditors of Beex and com- 
pany. The amount of the executions was about J&130. 
Bennett, and perhaps Tucker, belonged to Lynn. Mr. 
Beex was concerned in the Iron Works at that place, 
commenced 1643, and carried on at considerable ex- 
pense and loss for several years.* Armitage came and 
made his levies at Winter Harbor, but met with some re- 
sistance from the inhabitants. He was ^arrested for un- 
just molestation at the suit of T. Williams and neighbors' ; 
they, however, agreed to refer the dispute to the' decision 
of the Gen. Court. The inhabitants seem to have pre- 
vailed, as Beex and company subsequently sold to Wil- 
liam Phillips Jr. of Boston. They were probablv not 
apprised that Dr. Child had transferred his right in the 
patent ; nor was the fact of its having become the pro- 
perly of Beex and company, made to appear with cer- 
tainty by the claimants. Armitage moreover, behaved 
with undue violence in asserting his pretended right; 
threatening Ho clear his land by fire,' and thus lay waste 
the improvements made upon it, unless his claims were 
admitted. The success of the town was therefore a 
source of satisfaction, and without doubt materially pro- 
moted its interests. The claimant was a man of low stand- 
ing and in embarrassed circnmstances.f Mr. Phillips, on 
the contrary, who purchased not long after the date of 
these events, was a gentleman of a liberal and enter- 
prizing character, as it will appear in the course of the 



* Lewis. Hist. Lynn. 81. 117. Mr L. remarks that most of the iron 
used ia the Colony at that period was furnished from this source. 

ilbid. 93. 



AlVD BIDDEFOBB. 



103 



following pages. Mr. John Jefferd, named in the deed 
of Beex and Co. to Phillips, of which we subioin a copy, 
was several years the agent for the Iron Works at Lynn ; 
he commenced his charge at that place 1651.* 

Deed of Vines's Patent, now Biddeforo. 
"Know all men by these presents that I, William Haw- 
thorne of Salem in New Ensland, Planter and Attorney 
to Mr. John Jeffiird in behalf of Mr. Beex and Company 
of London, for and in consideration of the sum of ninety 
pounds to me in hand paid before the sealing and deli- 
very of these presents. Have given, granted, bargained 
and sold unto Lieut. William Phillips of Boston, Vintner, 
all that tract of land mentioned in a patent granted by the 
Right Hon. Robert Earl of Warwick and Company unto 
Mr. Vines, bearing date 20 Feb. 1629, as in said patent 
doth more at laree appear, which is delivered to him at 
the sealing hereoT, as also Mr. Vines's deed of sale to Dr. 
Child, To have and to hold all that tract of land above- 
sud with all the appurtenances^ be. to him the said Wil- 
liam Phillips, his heirs and assigns forever, warranting 
and defending the same against Mr. Beex and Company, 
or any claiming from, by or under them or any of them. 
Id witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal 
this 11 March, 1658-9. (signed) William Hathome.'^ 
Acknowledged before Crov. J. Endecott. Possession 
given 13 June 1659, in presence of Edw. Rishworth and 
William White.f 

The following indenture was made between Mr. Phil- 
lips and the old inhabitants. ''A. D. 1659, 26 Sept. It 
is agreed and consented unto by Mr. W. Phillips ol Bos- 
ton of the one party, and Mr. Thos. Williams, R. Trus- 
tnim, P. Hill, N. Buly, sen. and Christopher Hobbs, of 
Saoo, of the other party ; that the said parties having 
leases and possession of certain lands and meadows from 

*LewiB. Hist. 97. Mr. Lewis writes the name O^ord. He had a 
■on Philip. The Rev. Samuel Jefferds, minister of Wells 1726-58, 
was born at Salem , we should have supposed him a descendant of 
the abovementioned ffeutleman, but family tradition rektos that his 
&iher, Simon Jefferds, came from England 1700. 

tCouBty Records. 




104 BISTORT OF 8ACO 

Mr. Vines in Saco» they shall freely forever hereafter en- 
joy the same with all the privileges and profits contained 1^ 
in such their leases and possessions both the? and their / i 
heirs or assigns forever, for and in consideration of pay- 1 1» 
ingone day's work for each lessee if it be demanded j*^ 
within the year, and yearly. And as for all nunes, one t*^ 
fifth part shall belong to the state of England, and one vfl 
half of the rest to the said Mr. Phillips and his succes* \ « 
sors, and the other half to the possessors and their succe»» V 
sors forever ; To the which agreement the said Mr. Phil- \ 
lips doth bind himself, his heirs or assigns in the swn oF ^ 
six pounds sterling to each man herein expressed in case 
it should so happen that the right and title be at any time 
hereafter recovered out of the hands of the said Mr. W*. 
Phillips or his heirs or assigns. In witness hereto we hav( 
interchangeably set our bands, the day and date afoi 
said." (Signed by the parties.) 

A controversy soon alter arose between the town am 
Mr. Phillips, which came before the Gen. Court, as a^ 
pears from the following record ; ''At a town meeting 5 
month 6 day (July 6) 1660. It is a town act that Mr. 
Robert Jordan and Mr. Richard Hitchcock are empowei 
ed as Attorneys, to be advocates to plead the town's privi- 
leges, properties and interests with Lieut. W. Phillips, ii 
a case depending between him and the town before 
Honored Gen. Court's committee." 

The committee consisted of Maj. General Humpluy"''^ 
Atherton, Thos. Savage, and Thos. Clarke, Esquires, 
whom were also referred the petitions of Geo. Cleavei 
of Falmouth, John Bonython and Richard Foxwell, 
specting their patents, the latter as heirs of Capt. Rieb-^ 
ard Bonython. They reported at the October sessiois 
1660, as follows : ''We whose names are underwritten 
being appointed by the Gen. Court held at Boston Octo* 
18, 1659, to hear and determine certain differences whicb 
concern Lieut. W. Phillips, Mr. G. Cleaves, Mr. J. Bony- /^ 
. thbn and Mr. Foxwell, and to make return thereof unto |i/ 
this court ; We accordingly have attended that service b^ 
and return as followeth : That the town of Saco shdp ^^ 
have belonging unto it all the land lying within the bounds 
hereafter mentioned, viz. from Winter Harbor to Saco 






AND BIDDCrOED. 105 

river mouth and from thence up along the river towards 
the falls as far as the house of Ambrose Berry, and from 
thence a line to run on a square towards Cape Porpoise 
80 far as the hounds of said Saco go that way, and so 
down the dividing line between Cape Porpoise and Saco 
onto the sea, and so along the sea unto Winter Harbour, 
reserving out of this tract the seawall beginning at a pond 
about half a mile southward from the mill commonly 
called Duck pond, and running from the said pond to the 
mill, and from thence to the rock of land on which Roger 
Spencer liveth, with the marshes adjoining to the seawall, 
not exceeding 40 rods broad from said wall ; And also a 
neck of land xx)mmonly called Parker's neck, also sixty 
acres of wood land adjoining to an allotment late in the 
possession of Croodman Leighton, now in the possession 
of Lieut. Phillips, also sixty acres of land lying between 
Mr. Hitchcock's house and Saco river mouth, where 
Lieut. Phillips shall make chc»ce of it in any land not m 
lease J which aforesaid tract of land so bounded shall be 
disposed of by the townsmen of Saco, either for com- 
maasj or otherwise as they shall see cause, unto which 
disposal of the aforesaid tract Lieut. W. Phillips doth 
consent. And all contracts made by any of the posses- 
sors of any land within the limits of the patent in Saco, 
which did belong unto Mr. R. Vines, with Lieut. Phil-^ 
lips are to stand good. And such possessors of land 
vnthin the said limits as have not as yet contracted for 
Aeir land that they do possess, are to pay the like pro- 
portions of rent which those do who have already con- 
tracted. And all other lands laid out within the limits of 
(he patent of Mr. Vines, excepting that neck of land 
where R. Spencer dwelletfa, which said neck is bounded 
with the end of the sea wall next to it adjoining, to be- 
long unto Mr. Phillips. 

^In relation to the complaint of Mr. J. Bonython, We 
find his patent is in joint to Mr. T. Lewis and the father 
of Bon3rthon, and that several of those which he com- 
plains against, had land from the aforesaid Lewis and bis 
successors ; We therefore order that a due division be 
•made betwixt them if it be not already done. And then 
those that trespass on any of Mr. Bonytbpn's rights, he 

10 




I 



IQfit HiSTOttX Of. SACO 

i]iayvb«ye;bis remedy, io.a oau9e of law« where we hope; 
lie^may have justice. * * * As to. tfie coiDplaintsof. Mr. 
B. FoKwelli be appeared naV there tp qitke, apy proofs 
ihereofi (Signed by. the Cpiproittee.) Pated.25.of tb^ 
Sth^ipooth (QotQ^) lj660.- The couri apprpved.of the re- 
tMm.of: tbecofxnni^QDers aod.do order it shall be a fipal 
iasue &c« A< true copy^ £• Rawson,. Secretary. 

TraQ$cijbed into York: Records, iM^TQ^i W&D-l, by 
£, Riishworthi Recorder 

TJie fpUowing record from the townrbooki rqlatesto 
the above- proceedings* *M661 : 2 mQBth-20 days.at a 
towii:mejeting in Sacoibere was ap order read, in the. mee« 
^g. wiiiQh.Qaroe from. the generpll Court concerning^ the 
prpc^ediQg between Lieut* Wm Phillips the patentici and 
the. inhabitants of Saco^ the wbiQh Court ordei^and^ con- 
clusion the major part of the meeting doth acpppt, S* 

Booth tpwnclarki" 

The tpwnat.a fiiiibsequent meetipg-paased a vote that the 
aeiectmiBn. ^'abali bavethe^ djaposing and ail9ting;or all 
such lands andimeadows as ai^eleft tp4b^ town-s ,di«pqsid 
by the Gm. Couit's^Commiasionflrs, whose; disposal; thii 

Q/dQ. Courl did approve." 

Phillips^ acquired sopq after appth^r title to hj^: landa 
by afi exlen^ive purcha^ from an Indian: sacheiq. 'GAn 
tiile prQV^edivi^lid; where grants had not be.^JQ previpjialy 
made., Al copy of' tbe.deedi is sujiyoined^ 

Indian Dbf^i^.-- ^'KnPW all men by tbesCrpresentflfUial 
I« Mogg Begone, of Saco river in New,EngIan4|.s(»^aQ4 
heir to W:alter/tliggoq^ Sagamore of said Riven bti^.now 
deoeagedi dp- fyx^ and- in : oonsid^r^alioi) of a^oertain: suin. 
received by. mq, well aqdjtfMly paid in gpoda by. Majp W* 
PhiUips^ of ; SaoQ, tb^ receipt wb^r^of I dp aioikROwMgi^ 
myself hm^ fully satisfted and. paid, have givqn^ graqt^ 
bargained and sold, and by these presepta dP*aliene,,qiaT 
fepff. and: oopfirm unto the saidiMajor W. Phjlllpsof 3aco, 
ar tract of' land being boupdjedi wjth Si^o, river on.tb^ 
Dortheaat side, apd j^epnebupl^, river on the south. we^ 
side, ip breadth Trpm the one rjver tp the other river afpr^ 
sajd^ and in length b^inping at thQ seaside and.riinDMikg 
up tjift east rjiyeyruntp.^ Salmon falla, on gapo riy^f) aA4a9 



AECD BIBDSFOill>» :107 

far up Kennebunk rirer until U- be opposite Salauiii:&lby 
wbicfa Talis is to be.undei-stoodiralls about 'fifteen ttaiim 
upward from tbe sawmills at IBaco falls, .He the aeid:PbiI- 
iips to have and to hoM tbe said land -with all timber 
land, -marshes, and all tbe growth thereon (or him, bis 
heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forerer, ireeljr 
and cteariy acquitted, exonerated and discharged ..from 
all manner of mortgages, sales, engagements or incum* 
brances whatsoever. ^ Also I.the said Mogg Hegon, do 
for myself,! my heirs, executors and assigns, warrant,: save 
and keep harmless- the said Phillips, his heirs - or assigns 
from any manner of person that shall lay 'daim. thereto; 
for the true performance oftiie premises, I have this 
last day of May subscribed my hand «nd fixed, my seAl. 
A. D. 1664.*«— In presence of John Wakefield, Mary 
Wakefield." JRecorded 1669.* 

The old lessees in some instances obtained a joint eo»> 
firmation from tbe town and the patentee. ^^Ata^town- 
meeting March 18,i 1 667-8. Yfje the selectmen doo eon* 
finaftuoto Ri^r Hill joyntty with maier Phillips : that his 
lease which his father JPetter Hill' had from Mistris Maek- 
woithinSaeo river I say it. is ratified and confirmed to 
the said Roger and hb ayers forever as atests Robert 
Booth Recorder." 

The following indenture, it will.be seen, relates to die 
other patent. ''Aug. 9, 1659. It is agreed between:H. 
Waddock and Jas. Gibbins that the said :Heory shall be- 
gin his utmost boimds (at the) great gutt up. above bis 
cornfield norwest and streight north to goose faire 
pathe and so to follow the pathe along to goosefaire old 
wading place which tract of land.and meddowe betweeoe 
that bound and the seashore H. Waddock doth take for 
fnil satisfaction for all bargaines and saiJes heretofore 
concluded Said H. Waddock shall be free from'^aU rent 
and demands heretofore and hereafter payifig: to the. said 
James his heires or assignes one peppercorn uppon 
the 29 Aug. if it be demanded." (signed.) Tbisricact 

'■ ■■■ I. I, , .■■■l»i. .11 ■!■ % • ■ 

*6al1iTan, p. 151, mems to hwe supposed Fhillips had no other 
title than that derived from the Indian parcbaee. ife probably cnrer- 
|oo](ed tbe Beej( ^ Co. deed. 




108 BISTORT or SACO 

extended from the lower part of the river across to G(X)se- 
fair brooky and so down to the sea, and contained about 
^00 acres; it was sold by Waddock's widow to Humphrj 
Scamman 1679. Some years after, 1693, Mrs. Wear- 
wick, as the name is written in the instrument, then of 
Gbucester, Mass. executed a power of attorney to her 
son John Tenny, also of Gloucester, formerly of Black- 
point, to recover this land of Mr. Scamman, together with 
£30 or 40 in money. The war hftd driven away the in- 
liabitants at that time, and Scamman, who removed to 
Kitter^, had not then completed his purchase. 

A ^w miscellaneous extracts from the town book will 
not be uninteresting. In 1655 Mr. Thomas Williams was 
•chosen town-treasurer, ^and to take a note of such as con- 
tribute to the college.' Contributions in aid of the col- 
lege at Cambridge were solicited in all the towns at that 
period. In the court records we find William Wardwell 
of Wells presented (1654) ^*for denying the college to 
be any ordinance of God, and therefore it was not his 
judgment to give any thing to it, when there was some- 
thing demanded of him for it." 

''4 Month 24 : 1661 A Jewry impanelled to inquier 
of the death of Thomas Latimer which lived with John 
Chater of Wells and ran away from him this month and 
was found drqwnded in Saco river, as foUoweth : A list of 
the jury mens names, Mr. T. Williams, H. Waddocke, 
John Sparke, R. Trustrum, John Bowden, Freegrace 
Norton, N. Buly, J. Gibbines, W. Scadlock, William 
Kirkeet, Edward Andrews, NickoJas Egcome, Edward 
Clarke, Jacob Wormwood. Thayr verdick is he was 
accidentally drowned through his owne defalk, taken be- 
fore me Rob. Booth." 

"March 1 5, 1665-6. At a townemeeting Thomas Har- 
ries is admitted into this towne to be an inhabytant." An 
order was passed at this time imposing a fine of 5s. on e- 
very 'housekeeper' who shall absent himself from towne- 
meeting. 

''March 21 : 1666 : 67 At a towne meeting the ma- 
ior parte act as foloweth Captaine Bryou Pendleton chosen 
Burgess to act for the towne in the generall Court in 
Apnll next." 



1110 snDOtMmtt; lOd 

^'Aprill 13 : 1667 : (same year Ks^ above) At ti towne 
meeting the MhalriCdBts beAryg-freebolderaaCtas febwelh : 

jFint'tbelati^^made «t tbeS^nerall Ad»6»ibl]rwere i^Ad 
^ Three men 4iire'Chosien-for judges^f wiM causes liA- 

cderteu pound,! namty'Gaptdine Brjan Pendtet^ Ralph 
^Tnistram Henry Waddock and sWome in the predende 

NOf the meeting. S James Gibbms cibosen for the fenast^r 

' of the magasin. 4 Robert Bobth chosen Chike of 
writs and sworn iabc. 5 It is vwkted that a sum of 

^twehre^poonds be eolected'too bi)y powder and sbi^tt and 
x>ther things for the trajne baml 6 Ralph Troitiwn 
Tbomes Rogers ^ttid >Roger Hill are appoyilted to bri^ 
in the raimster's i»ipend this next yeaf« 1667. 

'^ August^?, 1667. First-^ames Harmfiin h deh with 
«bout misusiog his daughter Jane be promiseth n6t to 
strike liir any mor-e and -bis wife Sara p^omidi^th the 

' lowmnrfen that she will take chatg of l>er -daughter Jaile 

.for the time toeome whereupon the towneiSmen ere wiH- 

:ing to lettte'her to them and ther keeping (6y present Uptte 
fimher tryalL Rob : Bboth toWne-Oiarke. 

^'September, 1666. The toWoesnii»n being metat^tbe 

3m«dtiti^hou^ do Mte as follows Maidr 9fyan P-endl^ton 
ttnd the setectmen namety Major WmPhilKps Heniv 
Waddock and Richard Coman ihese bdving deakifm 
James Hanrman ttbobt his c^uill usage of -his daughter 
J&iie : they m&ke thisoonclusiioin : by i^eason of a ^forini^r 
'order^'that w«s maiteby the townesmen in Aug. 27, 1667 

lisbe-ahaUbe^ept with good wife Gibbins if hir bitiiblmd 
«miseiit tiir^ie 3anll bia wife have isKime discourse libodtit 
whhute' selectmen. Attest R. Booth. 

^1669. The maior part of this ^meeting i^t that « 
ytfte shall betmade toway^is maiiffHineing old ^oodmiin 
Sparfce by thetaelectman <with all con^eiiietft speed. 

^^Aogust >{670. At a townemeeting the 'inhfvbitmts 
with the townsmen (fofbidy^brain Ritdner his'abideidg^kl 
this towne. 2 Ralph Trustrum is ordered to give war- 
ning to William N not to be an inhabitant. 3 Roger 
Hill is to give warning to Mr. Cook on the same 4 It 
is ordered that some of the selectmen to speak to Maior 
Phillips to be secur}'tie for the smith*" The original of 
this record is somewhat torn. 

10* 



110 HIBTOST OF 8ACO 

^'Octo. 1670. The selectmen of Saco this day met 
and examined all the demands of Rob. Booth and upoD 
agreement between them and Rob. Booth it is agreed 
that Rob. Booth shall have in satisfacksion for all de- 
mands to thb day ten pound 3s. 5d. to bee payd in the 
overplush in the county Rate and the last Rate made for 
the minister : toward which he has receved from Ralph 
Trustrum this day four pounds : from John Preshury out 
of his rate 2-2 ; from Henry Browqe for his fines 1-10. 

*^Nov. 10. 1672. At a general townemeeting James 
Gibbins senior is chosen selecktman in roome of Robert 
Booth deceased. It is agreed by the hole towne the 
selecktmen shall forthwith procure a gpod new Book for 
the towne Records and procure all the former ackts and 
records formerly recorded with Alfabet and pages trans- 
scribed. It is the request of the hole towne to Brian 
Pendleton to take care of the towne Book and supplie in 
rooroe of a towne clerck for one hole year folkwing this 
time except hindered by the providence of God." The 
above record is signed by Maj. Pendleton, and was doubt- 
less written by him. The same year ; ^Theare is due to 
Thomas Rogers for goinge Comitioner to York fiveteene 
shillings, to Ensine Gibbings and John Presbery for kill- 
inge two woolves forty shillings.' 

"31 of Januarye 1672-3. The selecktmen doth order 
the constable to gather and coUeckt in from the inhabi- 
tants of this towne acordinge to the invitory fonBerly 
made this yeare one penny farthing on the pownd and the 

Kle mony acordinge to the law, and from Mr. William 
)wne twenty shilhngs more." We find no other notice 
of Mr. DownCy either in the townbook or ebewhere. 
Id October, *it was ordered that there should bee a letter 
sent to. Mr. Monby (of Falmouth) to suaspend the pri- 
son Rate untill the County Court in July 74.' A pnaon 
was built at Falmouth about that time. 



AND BIDDBVOBA. Ill 



CHAPTER IX, 



After a lapse of two centuries it can scarcely be ex- 
pected that much should be known of the private histoiy 
of the early planters. Mr. Licwis, the associate of Capt. 
Bonython in the eastern patent, was unquestionably a 
gentleman of more than ordinary standing. He was the 
attorney of the Council of Plymouth for giving posses- 
sion of the Hilton patent at Pascataqua, a trust which he 
executed in 1631.* He had visited New England pre- 
viously to the year 1630, for the patent was granted lo 
him and Bonython partly "in consideration that Thorotis 
Lewis, Grentleman, had already been at the charge to 
transport himself and others to take a view of N. Eac- 
land in America for the bettering of his experience m 
advancing of a plantation.*^ We have seen that he com- 
menced the settlement on the eastern side of the river, 
now Saco, one year after Mr. Vines took possession of 
the opposite shore, viz. in 1631. The last notice we 
have oi him before his decease, is in 1637. He died 
not long after, for it was ordered by the court of 1640, 
that ^Francis Robinson executor of the last will and testa- 
ment of Thomas Lewis, late of this plantation, deceased, 
upon the delivery of the goods and chattels now in his 
custody belonging to the said testator, unto his creditors, 
shall be then cJkwed of such reasonable charges as have 
been by him expended upon two of the children of the 
said testator ance his death." 

Judith, one of the children, married James Gibbins, a 
planter, about 1647. Another probably married Robert 
Haywood, who lived at Barbadoes. This person had a 
jcHnt title with Gibbins to the lands late bebnging to Mr. 
Lewis, and is styled brother in law by the former in sever- 
al deeds. In one of these, Haywood's order is stated 
to bear date Barbadoes, January 10, 1660. He could 
have no other title to those lands conjointly with Mr. Gib- 
bins, than arose from the right of Lewis. Gibbins be- 

— — — .»«M.»W^— «— — ^— — ^— *— — I n —————— »i» 

*Belkiiap.Hi8t.N;H.i.^. 




If-S MmmLY aw baco 

came gventually sola proprietor of the moiety of the pa« 
tent belonging to Mr. X«ewis. He came to Saco about 
1642, when we first hear of him as the purchaser of 
Henry Boade^ estate at Winter Harbor. The name of 
Mr. Gibbins is of frequent occurresee in die town records 
until 1683. In that year he ^ve the town ten acres of 
upland «nd six acres ofmar^ Tor the minister. 'He 
imerwards removed to Kittery, where in 1690, he.execu- 
led a conveyance 6f 100 acres of land in Saco, to 'his 
jdaughter Elizabeth, 'grandchild to Thomas Lewis, .the 
• original patentee.' The children of James and Judith 
GibbiDs were eight -in number, viz. James, Elizabeth, 
Thooias, Charity, Rebecca, (died in infancy,) Rachel, 
;He8ter, and Anthony. James Gibbins, jr. was one of 
the selectmen 1674. Thomas, in the deed of 1690, 
mentioned above, is styled by Mr. Gibbins ^his son and 
heir.' Elizabeth married John Sharp 1667. She was 
then at'tbe age of 15. Rachel married Robert Edge- 
.eomb. She died 1724 aged »xty three ; her husbawd 
died 1730 in the seventy fourth year of his age. Their 
.gr»ves.are on Rendezvous^^nt. He was probably la 
von of Nicholas Edgecomb, ^who removed from Blue- 
point to this town 1660. John, one of the selectmen 
1666,^* was doubtless another: son of Nicholas. 

This'faraiiyb supposed to :be alliedto a noble stfxsfc 
10 England. Jn 1637, Sir Richard Edgecomb resefred 
jan extensive igrantof krnd from Sir ;F. Gorges, situatsd 
:ketween Sagadehock river and 'Cascobay. Jt is suppos- 
ed by Sullivan that Saco river was : intended, but this is 
very improbable ; the territory east of Casco bay, which 
:w«s the subject ofao former grant, was more plauabty 
ifixed upon by the heirs-jof Sir Kichard, who himeelf'patd 
.no ottentbu'to the grant. The first attempt 'to urge this 
claim was nrade 1/716 i^ John Edgecomb, agent for^ 
Sir Richard. This ^wa8,iperhaps, our townsman rahreadjr 
mentioned or his son. There b a:tradition that one of 
the Saco iEdgecomhs went to England by invitation from 
'bis noble relativus jearlyin-die ibst century. In 1756, 
the £laim to this trajct wajs.revivj&d Jby -Lord Edgecomb, 
who empowered Sir W.JPq>perellK and ^f^^^ ^}^ death, 
Mr. Sparhawk, to recover it tor him, but other titles had 



AND BmDErOBD* 113 

become too well established in that quarter, and his lord* 
ship lost bis case.* The title of Lord Edgecomb of 
Mount Edgecoinb, is still borne by one of this family. 

The Gibbins estate was divided among the heirs in 
1730 ; it was then comparatively small, large tracts hav- 
ing been disposed of by Mr. Gibbins, as will be noticed 
in another place. There were four sets of heirs: 1. 
The heirs of Elizabeth Sharp, the oldest daughter of Mr. 
Gibbins. Her son, Capt. John Sharp, was one of them. 

2. The heirs of Rachel Edgecomb viz. her sons Robert and 
Thomas ; and her daughters, Judith, the wife of Abra* 
bam Townsend, and Mary, the wife of David Young. 

3. Hannah Mace. This was a KJttery name, where the 
naotber of Hannah, a daughter of Gibbins, probably lived. 

4. Patience Annable and Rebecca Wakefield, grand 
daughters doubtless of Mr. Gibbins ; but which of his 
children they represented we are not informed. Mr. 
Thomas Edgecomb, of the fifth descent from Thomas 
Lewis, the original patentee, at present occupies a part 
of the Gibbins estate, which has continued in the uninter- 
rupted possession of this family. 

Capt. Richard Bonython was probably settled on his 
^rant as early as his associate, Mr. Lewis.f Our first no- 
tice of his presence here, however, is in the record of 
the Commissioners' court 1636, holden at his house. He 
was appointed by Sir F. Grorges one of the Counsellors 
for the government of the Province in 1640. The last 
court under that authority sat at Welb 1646, when Capt. 
Bonython was present. The latest transaction in which 
we find him engaged, is the conveyance of a piece of 
land July 14, 1647. His death probably occurred not 
long after, certainly before the year 1653 ; for he is not 
enumerated among the inhabitants of East Saco, in a list 
taken at that time, which contains the name of his son.J 
Capt. Bonython was, doubtless, strongly opposed to the 
claims of Kigby, but we have met with no evidence that 
he took an active part in the discussions growing out of 
them. He seems to have sustained a character (or gravi- 
■ ■ I ' ■ ■ ■ I 

*Sulli?tii. 126. tSee Appendix D. tMaw. Records. 




'114 HISVO&T OF 9ACO 

tyof deportment, und was evidently treated whfa great 
respect by his associates in office. He was rarely, if 
ever, a party in any action of whatever kind, but constant 
in the performance of his duties as a magistrate ; we even 
6nd him entering :a complaint against his own son, for 
threatening violence to Mr. Vines. At the same term 
the court ordered *Hhat Jane Shaw, wife of Edw. Shaw, 
shall be whipped^t the next quarter court holden at Saco, 
for abusing Capt. Bonython in slanderous and unreverend 
speeches." Eld ward recognized in the sum of £50 "to 
bring his wife to abide the censure of the court." The 
children of Capt. Bonython were a son and two daugh- 
ters; born in England. 

John, the son, bore a character the reverse of that of 
his father. His litigious disposition has already appeared 
in our extracts from the court records. In 1645, Capt. 
Bonython said in open court, ^Hliat he knew wherever 
his son met Mr. Richard Vines he would be reveneed 
on him, for he had not forgotten the old quarrel." He 
did not appear to answer to the charge, and the court pro- 
ceeded to pass the following decree ; "Whereas J. Bony- 
thon of Saco, in the Province of Maine, hath been sum- 
moned divers times in his Majesty's name to appear at 
our courts, and hath refused, threatening to kill and slay 
any persons that should lay hands on him ; whereupon 
the law hath had its due proceeding to an outlawry, and 
divers judgments, executions and ^warrants of good be- 
haviour ; We, therefore, at a General Court assembled, 
adjudge the said John Bonython outlawed «nd incapable 
of any of his Majesty^s laws, and proclaim him a rebel." 
It was then ordered "that if Mr. John Bonython be taken, 
that he be forthwith sent to Boston, to answer such things 
as shall then be brought against htm.'^ His contempt of 
the authority of theprovince was referred to the arbitra- 
tion of that government. His father was a member of 
the provincial court. 

Under the government of Mass., John was still more 
violent; by whom, we have seen, he was again outlawed, 
and a price set upon his head. This rigorous procee- 
ding brought him to terms. The town book, in which his 



A 



BtPDSVOBir. 115 

Qtmeris rarefy, founds ooottinsthe following record:: ^'Jufy 
Id , . 1 665. At. a> townmeeting, the jcKtice of. the peace 
anditbe fretebolders being met togelberv a wurrant i^JBent 
to Mr. Jobf» Bonytbop to* come' aiid. take bis oatb to ha 
constable^ asfbe^wa^-obosen J butfbe'refusedf andi^fiaed 
4/:'' Rl Booth wa^ tbeo- eboseO' in* bis place. This 
was soon aft^- the- arrival .of the King's.oQimniwioiiersio 
the provincei. Itiappear6^therefore».tbat:he-attenipled;to 
act iodepeRdentfyol*: alt authority.; hence, doubtless. be 
gainedttbe burlesque title of 'Sagamore of Saco,' which 
bascoine down 'to us in theoouplet, said tobave been in«« 
scribed on.his^grave stone :. 

''Here ]!•■ BcaythoD^ the Seffamore of Htuco; 

Ue^ Jived a^^ogo^ aihI died.akn^T^ «e4 weal to Hebonoci;Pf"* 

im» death: occurred about^l 684 ; anorder of the court 
intbai j^earoontinues bis wife in tbe possession of her late 
husband's property. He was supposed al a subsequent 
periodtte have boen destroyed by. the Indians, as appears 
from^.the foUowtng record in the Boofcof Claims to eastern 
]aiid% opened fay order of government at Boston. 1718; 
*^Peter Weare, of Han^Mondaims a. tract of land contain- 
iag 130 .acres OQ the eastern, side of Saco river, part of 
tbfl^ granted i to Richard. Bonython io^l629, and by bim 
granted toibis son. John^ who was^ killed by. the Indian 
enemy— said Weare bought of his son and heir b^ deed*'' 
la^tbe registry; of deeds we fibd^ that '^Richard Bonython, 
Airinerly^ apprentice to Jas^ Weymouth of Newcastle, N; 
H'-oerdwaiaer^ soorand-beir to John Bonyibon of Saoo^ 
sqUJo 171dto liieiilrf Peter Weareof Hampton, a tract 
of six score acres on the nordi east side of< Saee river in 
the^ patent gramed to . bi& honored' grandfather, Mr^ R; 
BonythoB and T. Lewis.'' 

Tbia.Ricbardj however^ was nol a; sod, but agraodsoa 
of' Jbbn . Bonytbon, senior^ Atihe time «f the det^ of the 
latter» there : was. peaoe with -the Indians^ and as be'Wa^ 
tbenifar advaneed in years, it.is more probable. thaSt be 

'Hebmnocluhe-the e»il spirit ol'the Indians.. So^lifraB ^ pv368r >vp* 
nMeetliEt'theUnet* ware intended for Captr Richard « Bon jikoubj 
BM politioal enomieo ; hut tho moderato cMvacter of' tine patent if M 

incenatstentfioU thi^ aoppoaitieDi. Thmt appUe^tioantotliis sen is f 

mncb more probable. f 




If6 BISTORT OV 8ACO 

died in the course of nature. In May, 1683, wheii near 
the close of his life, John gave to the town ^20 acres of 
upland for the minister,' as if to atone for his past errors. 
He was buried at his own reauest near the river on the 
Kne separating one division of his estate from that of Gib- 
bins. A man who lives near the spot, informs us that 
bavine had frequent occasion to pass it when a boy, the 
path irom a landing place on the river leading in that di- 
rection, he was often told that the ^eovemor of Saco' lay 
buried there. The children of John Bonython were 
John, Thomas, Gabriel, William, Winifred, and Eleanor. 
John, the oldest, was born 1654 ; chosen one of the 
selectmen 1685 ; and four years after, removed to New- 
castle, N. H. where he was livine 1694. It is probable 
be afterwards fell by the hands of the Indians. Richard, 
the cordwainer, who sold to Weare, was unquestionably 
his son. This Richard had a sister, the wife of John 
Collins. The other sons of the 'Sagamore' left no heu^, 
except collateral ones. Winifred, the oldest daughter, 
married Robert Nicholson, or Nichols : Eleanor married 
a Church well. A son of the former, living at Marble- 
head, sold his mother's right in her father's estate to Ro- 
bert and Thomas Edgecomb, 1729. The name of Bony- 
thon has long been obsolete in this quarter, and probably 
in New England. 

The daughters of Capt. Bonython became the wives 
of Richard Foxwell and Richard Cumming. Mr. Fox- 
well was one of the first and most respectable planters in 
this vicinity. He setded at Blue-point, on the south- 
western side of Scarboro' river in 1636, when thirty two 
years of age.* George Foxwell, his nephew, who died 
in Virginia, was from the city of Exeter, in Devonshire, 
England, and it is quite probable that Richard was from 
the same place, or its neighborhood. He lived fariy 
years on his estate at Blue-point, without apparent^ 
mingling in the political disputes of that period. He was 

• *There was a penon of the same name at Scituate 1634, a mer- 
ehant; (Farmer *s Refiater ;) but as our planter married in England , 
it is probable tbat he came out with his father in law with the view 
^ settling on his patMit, and hence it is unlikely he should have gone 
to Scituate. 



AND BIDDSrORD. '117 

a member of the General Assembly of Lygonia in 1648, 
being of the committee to whom was reierred Mr. Jor- 
dan's petition. But his chief attention was given to bis 
plantation, which became a valuable legacy to his heirs. 
He died about the close of 1676, or early in the succeed* 
ing year. Administration on his estate was granted to his 
son Philip Foxwell 1677; Joseph Curtis and Richard 
Rogers afterwards administered. 

The children of Mr. Foxwell, were three sons and 
^ve daughters. Richard jr., probably the oldest son, was 
living 1664 ; we have no further account of him. John 
married a daughter of Richard Cumming ; he died young, 
leaving one son, Nathaniel, who removed to York. De- 
4K>rah, daughter of Nathaniel, married William Corbain 
-of Boston, and as the sole heiress of her father and grand- 
father, conveyed 9II her right in the estate of Richard 
Foxwell, to William Pepperell jr., afterwards Sir William, 
jn 1729. 

Philip Foxwell, the other son, was one of the select* 
men of Scarboro' in 1681. In the subsequent dispersion 
of the inhabitants of that town by the Indians, Philip re« 
moved to Kittery, where he died, apparendy without 
iieirs, in 1690. 

Of the daughters, Esther married Thomas Rogers of 
Ckxise-fair, in 1657. Mr. Rogers was here as early as 
1638, when we find him attesting a deed. He was pro- 
bably quite young at that time, as his name does not 
occur again until 1653* He lived on the seashore, near 
the momh of Goose-fair brook, in the western part of 
what is now called Old Orchard. A northwest line divi- 
diag the patent of Lewis and Bonython into two equal por- 
tions, was ran 1681 ; which the commissioners began at 
^^Rogers^garden." The house of Mr. Rogers was de* 
stroyed by the Indians 1676, when he removed to Kittery, 
and soon after died. An inventory of his estate was ta- 
ken the following year. He had two sons, Richard and 
John. The former, purchased from Gibbins 1687 a tract 
of about half a mile square situated between Goose-fair 
brook and the middle line of the patent. He afterwards 
removed to Kittery. His son Richard jr. gave this ,^ 

piece of land to Patrick Goc^ins 1 737. Patrick came f 

11 f 






118 HISTOftT OF SACO 

over from Ireland at an early age, and was in the service 
of Pepperell at Kittery, by whose influence,, it is said, he 
obtained a daughter of R. Rogers, (grandson of Thomas,) 
in marriage. He settled on the estate given him by his 
father in law, where he died 1783, aged 84 years. Pat« 
rick left six sons, one of whom is now living at an advan- 
ced age. Mr. Rogers Groogins, a grandson of Patrick, 
and some others of this family, now possess and improve 
a part of the okl estate. 

Lucretia Foxwell married James Robinson of Blue* 
point. On the breaking out of the Indian war, they re- 
moved to New Castle, N. H. and there ended their days. 
They left four children, daughters, three of whom were 
married. 

Susannah Foxwell married an Austin. Mary, another 
daughter, married George Norton, of York. Sarah Fox- 
well married Joseph Curtis of Kittery, 1678. Their 
daughter Eunice was born Dec. 23, 1698. She mar- 
ried Richard Cutts of Kittery, Octo. 20, 1720. Their 
children were seven sons and three daughters, viz. Sa- 
rah, Robert, Joseph, Samuel, Edward, Foxwell Curtis, 
Richard, Mary, Thomas, and Eunice. Thomas, late 
Col. Cutts of Saco, the ninth of these children, was bom 
April 5, 1736. Edward, the fifth, late Judge of the C. C, 
Pleas, was born 1728. The mother, q grand daughter of 
Richard Foxwell, died March 30, 1795, at the great 
age of ninety six years.* 

The second daughter of Capt. Richard Bonython 
was married to Richard Cummmg before 1647. Mr. 

^Kittery Records. Joccljn, in the account of his first Voyage 
1638, relates the following story as "told by Mr. Foxwell now hving 
in the Province of Maine. Having been to the eastward in a shal- 
lop, on his retarn he was overtaken by the night, and fearing to land 
on the barbarous shore, put off a little further to sea. Aboat mid- 
night they were awakened by a loud voice from the shore oalUng 
FoxujeUf FoTioeUf come aghorel three times ; upon the sands they 
saw a great ^re, and men and women hand in hand dancing round a- 
boi)t it in a ring. After an hour or two they vanished, and as soon ■■ 
the day appearod, Foxwell out into a small cove, and traced along th« 
shore where he loun^ the rooting of men, ifroroen and children shod 
with shoes, and an in&ita nnn^ber of brands' ends thrown up by the 
water ; but neither EngHah nor Indians could he meet with on the 
shore nor in the woo£. 'There are many stranger things in tke 
world than are to be seen between London and Stanes'." p. 24. 



AMD BtDDErOBO. 119 

Cumming first settled on the western side of the river, 
but after the death of his father in law, he removed to the 
eastern part of his patent, near Little river. In 1672, a 
committee was appointed by the town *^o meet the Black- 
point men at the river next Richard Comming's, to run 
the line between them and us." Mr. Cummings Banks/ 
one of his descendants, now lives at the same place. 
The name of Richard Cumming, or Cummin, occurs 
very often in the town records until 1674 ; he died soon 
after. An inventory of his estate was taken 1676. The 
administrators were Thomas Cumming and Jchn Har- 
mon. The former did not k>ng survive his father. 

Elizabeth the only daughter of R. Cumming married 
John Foxwell, her cousin ; after his death John Harmon, 
previously to 1680. By this marriage Mr. Harmon be- 
came sole heir to that division of the patent which fell to 
the wife of Cummings. The daughter of Mr. Harmon^ 
an only child, married Joseph Banks of York, to which 
place Harmon removed before 1690. Banks thus ac- 
quired Harmon's right, but, in 1714, conveyed one-half 
of it lo Peter Weare and others. He also sold one quar* 
ter to Caleb Preble of York, who afterwards transferred 
it to Jas. and Joseph Brown of Newbuiy, 1717. Sam- 
uel Banks, a son of Joseph, settled at Old Orchard on 
a part of the Cummings estate, about 1735, where his 
descendants now live. 

A brief notice of the other learlv planters will conclude 
this chapter. The first name in the book of Rates after 
the patentees, is that of Henry Boade. This gentleman 
settled at Winter Harbor before 1636, but six years after 
he removed to Wells, where he was associated with Rev. 
J. Wheelwright and E. Rishworth, in a commission from 
Sir F. Gorges to lay out and allot that township, extend- 
ing from Ogunouit river to Kennebunk river, now form- 
ios the towns ot WeUs and Kennebunk. The small estate 
left by Mr. Boade at Winter Harbor, was transferred by 
Mr. Vines to Thomas Mills, fisherman, and James Gitn 
bins planter, in 1642. In 1653, he was appointed first 
eoromissioner or justice of Wells. His death took place 
four jear^ after. The executors of his will were '^his 
lovinc coudns, Mr. John Winthrop, Esq. and Rev. Timo- 
thy Daltoui minister of Hampton.'* 



{ 



ISO BiBTomr or 8ac« 

John WadbWy or Wadleigh, also removed to Wells be^ 
fore 1650. An Indian Sagamore, named Thomas Chabi- 
Docke, devised to Wadleigh ^all bis title and interest of 
Nampscascoke', comprising the greater part of Weils ; 
with a condition tliat he should allow ohe bushel of In* 
dian com annually to the *old Webb,' his mother, as long 
as she lived. The extent of the tract was from the set 
as far up as ^the great falls on Cape Porpoise (Mousuro) 
river', and from Negunket to Kennebunk river. The 
Sagamore seems to have died 1649, in which year Wad- 
leigh took legal possession of his lands. Ten years after^ 
John Wadleigh and his son Robert conveyed the portion 
between Cape Porpoise and Kennebunk rivers, with 
several reservations, to Daniel Eppes of Ipswich. Mr. 
Eppes was a son in law of Samuel Symonds, deputy- 
governor of Mass. Bay.* William Symonds, a son of 
the deputy-governor, settled at Wells, probably on the 
lands purchased by Mr. Eppes. Under the jurisdiction 
of Mass., Indian titles were held valid where previous 
grants had not been made. A small part onlv of the 
township of Wells had been taken up prevbusiy to the 
date of Chabinocke's will. John Wadleigh was one of 
the selectmen of Wells 1653. He died 1671. His will 
contains the bequest of *a pair of oxen called Sparke and 
Berry,' to his daughter Mary Mills. The practice of giv- 
ing names to working cattle, said to be peculiar to the 
eastern farmers, was, it seems, of early introduction. 
The same custom doubtless prevails in that part of Eng- 
land from which our planters came. 

Thomas Williams, who is usually dignified with the title 
of Mr. in the town book, was a leading townsman for 
many years. The following record is dated 29 June, 
1674 : '*This day Mr. Williams did make his address to 
the town for 14 pounds due to him for dieting the minis- 
ter of the towne : and it is ordered and consented to by 
the whole town that for the time during his or his wife's 
life, he is freed from all town, Commonwealth. or £ccle»* 
astical rates." The same year, at an October meeting, 
the record says : ^'The town hath cleared Mr. Thomas 

*Fftniier'i Genealof ical Regift^r* 



AND BtDDUrOBB. 131 

WfUtams from all hia rate that is behind hand and so for- 
ward." Also, ^<tbe town bath ordered that there shall he 
two men appointed to look into Mr. Williamfi;' estate to 
see if he shall have maintenances;^ We have not met 
with bis name after this date : he had then been an ioi- 
faabitant at least forty years. Having served the town 
long and faithfully in several responsiUe offices, be was 
at last, when past service, necessitated to apply for assis* 
tance, as it appears from the foregoing record. He seems 
to have had no family. Beside his brother Richard, who 
died 1635, as mentioned in a former chapter, no other 
person of this nanM is found among our inhabitants in :that 
eentary. 

Robert Sanky, provost-marshal 1640, died at Winter 
Harbor before 1642. His land adjoined that of Mr. 
Williams, as, in an action of trespass brought by the lat- 
ter against Ferdinand Grant, who being employed to cut 
his hay, had set fire to it, Mr. Sankey joined for the in- 
jury done his own hay and grass. Mr. Joseph -Bowles 
afterwards owned Saokey's estate, which he sold in 1659, 
b«n^ then resident at Wells, to John Bowden. The: fees 
of * the provost-^marsbal, or sheriff, were 2s. for serving a 
warrant in Saco, and 4s» for every day employed out of 
the town. The under-marshal, or deputy, received a 
saiaiy of 42. per annum. 

Theophilus Davis, styled 'cfficer for this place' in the 
records of 1636, was doubdess constable' of ;Saco that 
year. This is all we know of him. We are almost 
equally in^ the dark respecting the next planter on: the list, 
George Frost. He appears on a jury 1640, and perhaps 
died- soon- after. Clement ' Ghreen way has also ekrided our 
enqui'ries' after' 1 637. 

'John Parker probably removed to 'Kennebec beyond 
the jurisdiction of' Grorges, where a person of this -name 
iflf imnd purohasing from the Indians the large and valua- 
ble i^and, now a part of ' Georgetown, in 1650. His de- 
scendants' have- ever retained possession- of parts of th|t 
idand under the Indian tide.* There ^ was 'ilso a John 







122 HI8T0ET OF 8 AGO 

Parker tt York 1652, but he was probably a late c omer 
as his name is not found in the early court records. 

Joho Smith has been noticed in a former part of our 
inquiries. His lease of 100 acres from Mr. Vines, on an 
annual rent of 5s. bears date 1642, Eight years after, 
he assigned this lease to N. Buly, who was to enter on 
the property 1652, and to albw Smith one room in the 
house for two years after entrance. The Akiss. com- 
missioners 1654, passed the following order. **The com- 
missioners being informed that Joho Smith of Saco is ne- 
cessarily detained from coming to yield subjection to 
the government, and that it is his desire to subject him- 
self to the government, they do grant that on his ac- 
knowledgement of subjection to this government any two 
of the town commissioners at Saco may, and hereby have 
liberty to give him the oath of freeman." Sullivan re* 
marks on the above : "John Smith was one of the gran- 
tees of the Plough Patent, and did not personally sub- 
mit ; but the Commissioners readily received his excuse 
of ill health, and took his submission by proxy." The 
inconvenience of going to Wells .for the purpose of ao 
knowiedging the Mass. jurisdiction, prevented a number 
of the inhabitants beside Smith, from personally appear- 
ing there, as we have already seen. This circumstance 
is, therefore, no argument in favor of his being a grantee 
of the Plough Patent. Had Smith really been one of 
the Plough Company, it is hardly probable he would 
have taken a small lease at Winter Harbor, when entitled 
to at least a township in right of that patent. He, bow- 
ever, held the office of marshal under the jurisdiction of 
Lygonia, as it appears from his deposition given at the 
late date 23 June, 1665 : "Testimony of Mm Smith 
of Saco, aged about 73 years, marshal under Mr. G. 
Cleaves,* who about forty years ago carried on CoL 
Rigby 's authority in this Province," be. This is the last 
notice of Mr. Smith that we have found in the records of 
that period. He had then outlived all the first planters^ 
with the exception, perhaps, of Mr. Watts. 

*Thit name ii mually ipelt CleTas, or Clee ve, in tbe oldett reoordf : 
]>at we have adopted the modern ortho^rraphy. 



M9^ BIDDKFORD. 123 

Samuel Andrews died before 1638. Mr. Vines con- 
firmed to his widow Jane 100 acres near Scadlock's land, 
where her husband built a house and enclosed four acres. 
She afterwards married Mr. Arthur Mackwortb of Casco, 
a gentleman of some note. Sarah, her daughter, married 
Abraham Adams of Casco. Mr. Francis Neaie, rep- 
resentative of Falmouth 1670, married another daughter. 
Edward Andrews, freeman 1653, was perhaps a son of 
Samuel ; he died 1668. 

William Scadbck, a worthy planter, settled en the wes- 
tern side of Little river, and when the line was run be* 
lAreen Saco and Cape Porpus 16S9, his house was left 
in the latter town, the river being made the dividing line. 
Mr. Scadlock was appointed clerk of the writs or town 
elerk by the Commissioners 1663, but the existing re- 
cords of that year are signed by the selectmen. There 
were others doubtless, now bst. Scadlock made bis 
will Jan. 7, 1662, and probably died soon after. His 
personal property amounting to £100, and his real estatCy 
which was of considerable value, he gave to his wife ; to 
bis children he made small bequests, as set forth in the 
Ibliowiog extracts : ^^I bequeath my bible unto my son 
William. I bequeath unto my son John 3 yards of 
broadcloth, he upon that consideration to buy 3 vds. and a 
half of good kersey of 10s. per yard for a suit for my son 
Samuel, and silk and buttons tmto both : I bequeath unto 
my daughter Rebecca my worsted stockings. I bequeath 
mito my son William my new hat, he buying Samuel a^- 
notber of 10 or 12s. price. I bequeath unto ray daugh- 
ter Susanna Mr. Cotton's work upon the new covenant 
of grace. I bequeath a book entitled Meat out of the 
Eater, to my son William ; and to my son John 1 bequeath 
a b6ok concerning Justifying Faith ; and the Practice of 
piety to Rebecca : and to my daughter Susanna a Suck- 
ing Calf called Trubb.* 1 bequeath unto my daugh- 
ter Sara one yard of Holland : and to the end that all 
things be performed according to my mind and will, 1 
hereby make, constitute and appoint my loving wife EU- 

*T]m quaint title of tome poritanioal work. 




134 MISTOKT OV 8ACO 

nor my executrix, and my son William executor, onto aU 
which I set my band ana heart." Of the sons, William 
died 1664, and Major Pendleton administered on Ms 
estate 4 John died the same year. Samuel was living 
1719 at York, seventy three years old. William jr. ap- 
pears to have left children; a son William, horn 1661:; 
and a daughter Anne, married to John Carter 1666* 
The family name is now extinct in this quarter, so far as 
we can learn ; but the falls on Little river near the bouse 
of Mr. Jeremiah Bettes, are still called Scadlock's falb 
by the inhabitants in (bat vicinity. 

A Robert Morgan was an inhabitant at Sagadehock 
1665 ;* but we are unable to identify bim with certainty 
as the planter of 1636. 

Henry Warwick, or Waddock ; the former orthogra- 
phy is found only in the Court Records, and in legal iiH 
dtruments. He was long an active and useful inhabitant 
of the town ; bis house was at the lower ferry, on the 
main road at that {)eriod from Wells toCasco, where be 
died about 1673. His children were a son and two 
daughters; the former, John, is mentioned among the 
principal townsmen 1674; he removed a few years after 
to Black-point. Joan, one of the daughters, married 
John Helson 1658; their son, Ephraim, was bom 1;667. 
The other daughter married JohnTenny of Black-pointy 
they, together with good wife Jane, the widow of the eld 
|ilanter, were living at Gloucester Mass. 1690. 

Richard Hitchcock lived at Winter Harbor, near the 

Erint 6n the north side of the Pool, still called by his name, 
e was buried 22 June, 1 67 1 . His son Thomas, a youtfa,^ 
died the same year. His other children, bom 1653^4, 
Were Jerusha, Lydia, Rebecca, Ann and Margaret, who 
with bis wife survived him. 

Thomas Page was a juror 1640, after which we have 
nbt met with bis name. Sylvester Page was in the iaraH 
ly of Mr. WiilianM 1662. George Page married Mary 
Edgecomb, probably a daughter of Nicholas, 1664; he 
was one of the selectmen 1683, and after. Christopher 
Page is mentioned 1667. These were probably sons of 

•BcdUvan. S7. 



/ 



AND SIDDKrOBD. 12S 

Thomu Page, who we suppose died before his children 
ware of age. The name is still among us. 

Ambrose Berry was a respectable inhabitant for manr 
years. The situation of bis house, on the northern limit 
of the lands left at the town^s disposal by the Commis- 
sioners 1659, is not precisely known at the present time^ 
He was buried at Winter Harbor May 3, 1661 . His sod 
Ambrose married Ann Buly 1653. The families of this 
name now in our towns, are unquestionably descended 
from him. 

Mr. Henry Watts settled at Blue-point near Mr. Fox* 
well, 1636, where he was living 1684 over eighty years 
of age. He was a member of the Assembly of Lygonia 
1 648. His children appear to have settled at Falmouth, 
where we find John Watts 1721.* 

Beside the planters named in the Book of Rates, a 
few other names occur as early as 1636. Of these several 
have been mentioned as soon after settled at Casco. 
George Jewell, mariner, was drowned in Boston harbor 
1638.f Stephen Batson was living at Cape Porpoise cs 

16'63. Margery, daughter of Stephen and Mary Bat* ^\A 
son, was bound to Capt. Bonython 1636. John Batson \\qX 
married Elizabeth Saunders 1660. James Cole was an 
inhabitant at Kennebec 1654.| John Cole of Saco, 
died 1661 ; perhaps a son of Thomas, who had occupir^ 
ed the estate leased to West. 

John West first apjiears 1638 ; he removed to Welb 
about 1659, where he died four years after. He ajH 
pointed William Cole of Wells trustee of his estate for 
the use of his daughter's children, the wife of Thomas 
Haley ; the property to be divided anoong them three 
years after his (West's) death. The names of the chil- 
dren were Ann, Lydia, Samuel and Thomas. Mr. Haley 
lived on the western side of the river opposite Waddock. 
His descendants are numerous. 

Morgan Howell has been named among the colonists 
who came out with Mr. Vines. He was engaged in a 

*Jadge Sanme] Watts of CheJsea, Mass. mentioned hj Mr. Far- 
iner, Oeneal. Register, in connection with the name of oar plantec, 
Oftue to New England early in the last century. Family tnditioB. 
tWmthrop. Jour. i. 244. |Ha«ard. i. 586. 




136 riiStOtt 0# SAOO 

suit with Scadlock in the court of 1637. A few ^ears 
after (1643) he is described as of Cape Porpoise, in a 
deed of 100 acres of land from Gorges.* He was pro* 
bably settled there in the former year, in the neighbor^ 
hood of Scadlock. When the inhabitants of Cape Por^ 
poise, now Kennebunk-port, submitted to Mass. 1653, 
the Commissioners reported that "Morgan Howell did 
acknowledge himself bound in fifty pounds to the trea- 
surer of the county, that he will prosecute his action 
against John Baker at the next county court.^' The set- 
tlement on Cape Porpoise was probably made about the 
same time as at Winter Harbor ; in 16^, a trader named 
Jenkins, is said by Winthrop to have removed thither 
from Dorchester, Mass. The Cape presented great ad- 
vantages for fishermen, many of whom made it a place of 
resort, and perhaps of abode as early, probably, as any 
other point of the coast. Howell and Scadlock were with- 
out doubt the first planters who settled witiiin the town- 
ship. 

We have thus noticed all the original colonists whose 
names have occurred in the course of our inquiries. There 
were without doubt many others, but owing to the imper- 
fect state of the early records, their names cannot now 
be recalled. The length of years to which most of them 
attained, at the place of their first settlement, must have 
struck our readers, and is indeed remarkable when con- 
trasted with the opposite fact in the history of the other 
New England colonies. A distinguished antiquarian has 
remarked that **in no instance, in the whole Atlantic coast 
of this Union, will five men, on any spot at the first open- 
ing of the country, be found on the same spot ten years 
after."f The writer was unacquainted with the settle- 
ments in this quarter. 
• - i" ■ ' . . ■ ■» 

*Sttlliyan 899, dates the earlieet grant at Cape Porpoise 16481, 
tSftvage. Wiothrop. Jour. i. Appendix^ 






AVB BIDDEVORB. fS7 



CHAPTER X. 



After the departure of Mr. Jenner there ap^ars to 
have been no regular minister of the puritan faith in this 
Ticinky for several years. The ministrations of Mr. Jor- 
dan were probably continued until the province came un- 
der the authority of Massachusetts, and for some time 
after, as in 1660 an order was passed by the Gen. Court 
forbidding him to baptize children, and requiring his ap- 
pearance before them to answer for having performed that 
christian rite. The King's Commissioners in their report 
to the English government respecting N. England, 1667, 
refer to the unworthv treatment of him by the Mass. au- 
thorities : '^They did imprison and barbarously use Mr. 
Jordan for baptizing children, as himself complained in 
his petition to the Commissioners.''* In the mean time, 
George Barlow seems to have annoyed some of his 
townsmen by the exercise of his gifts as a preacher. 
This man was a follower of Rev. John Wheelwright, a 
distinguished clergyman who was banished from Mass. 
on account of a difference of opinion with the leading 
members of the Colony on a point of doctrine. Mr. 
Wheelwright was an antinomian, and taught that an in- 
ward assurance, or 'the evidence of the Spirit,' furnished 
the only proper criterion of the christian character. His 
Opponents contended that the sanctification of the heart 
and life, was the true ground of religious confidence ; 
whence Mr. Wheelwright pronounced them all under 'a 
covenant of works.' This was too much for the worthy 
colonists, who valued themselves on their orthodoxy, and 
Wheelwright was banished for sedition.f He retired 
with a number of followers to an uncultivated tract with- 
in Mason's patent, where he laid the foundation of the 
town of Exeter. There they established a Combination 

Svemment 1639.| Three years after, when the New 
ampshiie settlements were taken under the wing of 



*Hatchin9on. State Papers. 418. tl Mass. Hist. CoU. ix, 31. 
tThe members of this Combination were in all thirty five. Has- 
krd. CoU. i. 463. 



( 



188 VI8TOAT OF 8ACO 

Mass., Mr. Wheelwright removed into this quarter, and 
with some of our planters, as already nottoed, commen- 
ced the settlement of Wells ; of those who were with 
him at Exeter, we afterwards find George Barlow here, 
William Cole, Edward Littlefield, WilUam Wardwell, 
at Wells, Edward Rishworth at York, and Christopher 
Lawson at Kennehec. Barlow probahly had the seal 
ivithout the knowledge of his master, and was silenced 
by the Mass. Commissioners at the request of some of 
the inhabitants. His adherence|to Wheelwright, however, 
may have been tlie real cause of their prohibition. The 
-order containing it, relates to the state of the religious af- 
fairs of the town in general : '^The Commissioners being 
informed that Saco is destitute of a good minister, where 
it is much desired that all due care be taken to attain the 
same, and in the meantime that their peace may be pre- 
served, they do declare and order that Robert Booth 
shall have liberty to exercise his gifts for the edification 
of the people there. Several persons complaining that 
George Barbw is a disturbance to the place, the Conunis^ 
sioners at their request thought it meet to forbid the skid 
Barton any more publickly to preach or prophesy th^re 
under the penalty of ten pounds for every ofiknce."— 
The term prophesying was usually applied to the religioua 
exhortations of laymen, or persons not regularly inducted 
into the office of a minister.* The name of Mr. Barlow 
does not appear in the records after 1653, but we find 
the marriage of Henry Hatherly to Elisabeth BarloWj 
probably his daughter, about 1670. 

Mr. Booth officiated several years as the religious tea- 
cher of the town. In Feb. 1658-9, it was voted/'that 
Robert Booth shall teach the word on the Lord's day 
till we have a better in place. And he shaU have ibr bis 
labor as the major part are disposed to give."' At the 
town commissioner's court, about the same tim^, it was 
^'ordered that this town of Saco shall forthwith make 
a rate to the value of ten pounds and levie it as 
and bring it in to R. Booth to what pis ce in the (town) 
he shall appoint before March next in full satisfaction for 



""Hist. C%a. at tapra. 19. 



' AKD BIDDETOBO. 1129 

til his labor in teaching from the beginning unto this 
lay." This worthy townsmen seems to have filled a 
^riety of useful offices, for which he was qualified by an 
sducation superior to that of most of the inhabitants. He 
ippears to have resided both at Exeter and Wells before 
le came to this town ; as his name is subscribed to a pe- 
ition of the former town, addressed to the Mass. Gen. 
!3ourt 1645, praying the court not to grant any lands or 
neadows lying near Exeter unto the town of Dover ;* 
ind that he lived at Wells, we learn from a deposition in 
^hich he expresshr states the fact. Yet three years after 
the date of the Exeter petition, Mr. Booth was on i. 
committee of the Gen. Assembly of Lygonia ; and as 
(Veils was not included within that jurisdiction, he was 
then unquestionably an inhabitant of Saco. He died 
1672, aged seventy years. His children, bom 1627-55, 
were IM^ry, Ellen, Simeon, Martha, and Robert. Mary 
was married to Walter Pennell 1647 ; Ellen to N. Buly jr. 
1652; Simeon married Rebecca Frost, 1663. Mr. 
Booth lived, according to tradition, at the last bend of the 
road leading to Fletcher's neck, near the sea. A strip of 
land called Stony Stand point, belonged to him. He had 
a com tide mill on the creek that runs into the head of 
ibe Pool ; the ^stepping stones,' laid between the shore 
and the mill, have oeen seen by a person now living. The 
mill was appraised, after the death of Mr. Booth, at £30. 
^e name of his family is now extinct in this quarter. 

A complaint was entered in the court of 1659, against 
ft. Booth "for disturbing the minister, Mr. Dunnum" : 
which probably arose from some unfriendly feeling to the 
former, as he was. acquitted, and the complainants were 
obliged to pay the costs of die action. We find no no- 
tice of this minister in the town-book.f 

In 1661, a committee was raised '^to speak to Mr. 
Hooke about teaching to them on the Lord's day, and 
to conclude with him after what manner and upon what 
terms he will accept." This gentleman had then recent- 



*Fanner, MS. Letter. IThere was a preacher of the same name 
(Dnnbam) at Edgarton, Martha's Vineyard, 1685. J. Coffin. 

12 




130 HISTOKT OF SAGO 

ly become an inhtbitant of the town ; the next year, 
Fbillips sold him the land which had been occupied by 
John LeigbtOQ at Winter Harbor. Mr. Hooke baa been 
mentioned in a previous chapter, as a friend to the govern- 
ment of Gorges. At a subsequent period, 1681, he was 
treasurer of the Province, and under the charter of 1692 
a member of the Council of Mass. He was then living 
atKittery, where he died in Jan. 1695. 

The Rev. Seth Fletcher commenced preaching here 
1661-2. The earliest notice of him furnished by the town 
records, is the following : "Junt3, 1662. It is consented 
to make a rate for Mr. Fletcher's diet 10 3 0." The 
next month, at a townmeeting, the town contracted with 
John Rice for the rent of a house at Winter Harbor, 
"which he bought of William Tharall," for their use one 
year, for the accommodation of the minister, and agreed 
to pay him 5/. in merchantable fish. Mr. Fletcher was 
previously settled at Wells, as early as 1655, but, in 1660, 
some of the inhabitants petitioned the Gen. Court for bis 
dismission, stating that "for near two years past he had 
drawn them into neglect relating both to the sanctifyiqg 
of the Sabbath, and the performance of God's holy wor- 
ship therein." It was ordered "by the authority of this 
court that due notice be given to tbie inhabitants of Wells 
and Mr. Fletcher, that they appear at the next coon^ 
court at York, there either to justify those exceptions of 
unmeetness they seem to charge against Mr. Fletcher," 
&c.^ His dismission followed, and he removed to this 
place the following year. At the expiration of the 
year for which he was engaged, Phillips and Hooke were 
appointed a committee to procure a minister. It does 
not appear, either that Mr. Fletcher was re-engaged, or 
another minister obtained at that time. 

We find nothing more relating to this subject until 5 
March, 1675, when it is recorded that the inhabitants a- 
greed to send for a minister, namely, Mr. Paine, and to 
pay all such charges as he shall necessarily have occasion 

^Mas8. Records. Mr. Greenleaf, Eccl. Sketches of Maine, hiis over- 
looked Mr. Fletcher, oltUou^h himself for several yeacs minister of 
the same town. 



AND BIDDEFQRD. 131 

to spend coming and going, and whilst he is with us:*' 
The Rev. Robert Paine, who graduated at Harvard Col* 
lege 1656, was the gentleman alluded to. He preached 
al Wells about this time,* but appears not to have accep-i 
ted the invitation of our townsmen. In May following, 
there were two candidates before the town, viz. Mr. 
Fletcher, and *Mr. Chansee,' [Chauncy.] The votes 
were 24 for the latter, and 1 1 for the former. Mr. Chaun- 
cy remained one year. In April, 1666, there was a 
meeting about his 'going away and his wages,^ when the 
following vote passed. "It is the consent of the major 
part of this meeting that Master Chauncy may be safely 
sent home as speedily as conveniently may be. Mr. F. 
Hooke and R. Booth are appointed by this meeting to 
take care for his passage at the town charge." The rates 
levied for his wages were not collected, and two years af- 
ter, April, 1668, we find that "Mr. Williams hath deliver- 
ed 34s. in to Mr. Barnabas Chansee upon condi- 
tion that if the townsmen do not approve of it, he promises 
to allow it back again." The Rev. Dr. Chauncy, presi- 
dent of Harvard College from 1654 to 1672, bad six 
sons, all of whom were educated at Cambridge, and be- 
came ministers. One was settled in London, a colleague 
of the celebrated Dr. Walts. Barnabas, who graduated 
1657, is suid to have "died in middle age, an immature 
death."f There can be no doubt that the measures ta- 
ken by our townsmen for his speedy and safe conveyance 
home, were owing to the failure of his health ; and that 
after his recovery, he came to receive the arrears of his 
salary. His father died 1672, and such was^ the high 
estimation of his services, that the General Court made 
provision for his surviving family, or those of them who 
required it. Barnabas received 107« per annum from this 
soiirce.t 

Mr. Fletcher resumed the ministerial chtirge^soon after 
the departure of'Mrl; Chauncy. Ih 1669, we fiind the 
following record : "The Inhabitants being mett at the 
Meeting house, doe acte as followeth: .1. The covenant 



•Greenleaf. Eccl. Sketches. 20. 11 Hist. Coll. x. ITS. 

tMass. Records. 




133 HI8T0&T OF SACO 

made between Mr. Fletcher and the town is null. 2. 
The mhabitants unanimously vote to continue Mr. Fletch- 
er's mmistree still amongst us. 3. It is unanimously 
toated that Mr. Seth Fletcher shall have fiftie pounds 
payed him for this next year recompense for his minis- 
tree. 4. The selectmen to make a rate to pay the fiftie 
aforesaid for Mr. Fletcher's stipend this year 1669.'^ A- 
gain in 1672, we fisd an equally strong expression of at- 
tachment to this gentleman on the part of his people. 
"We the inhabitants of this town generally desire that Mr« 
Fletcher would be pleased to continue with us to be our 
minister as long as he may with comfort and convenience, 
and we are freely willing to continue our contribution as 
formerly we have done, and if there be any imp^iment 
in the way we shall endeavor to remove it if we are made 
acquainted with it; and so we hope he will give us bis 
answer, and for this purpose we have appointed R. Booth 
and T. Rogers to go to him and acquaint him with our 
desires, and bring his answer." This was at the March 
meeting. The nature of Mr. Fletcher's reply may be 
supposed from the votes passed at a meeting in June s 
"That Mr. Fletcher is left unto his liberty to continue a- 
mong us without any annual calls, giving the town three 
months' notice to provide for themselves upon his removal 
if. possible. 2. That 50/. be annually paid him as ii| 
times past." Thus was he settled over the people as their 
regular pastor ; the practice had previously been to re- 
new the engagement annually, if agreeable to the town. 
He did not remain long, however, after that time. His 
wife, Mary, appears to have been a daughter of Maj*. 
Pendleton, by whom their only son, Pendleton Fletcher, 
was adopted. The Indian war commenced in 167&, 
when Mr. Fletcher, together with his father in law, re«- 
inoved. He afterwards preached at South Hampton, 
Long Island, N. Y. and at Elizabeth Town, N. J. The 
following letters to the Rev. Increase Mather, D. D. 
President of Harvard College, furnish the only informa- 
tion respecting Mr. Fletcher after his departure from this 
place, which we have been enabled to obtain, 



AH0 BIDDEFOBB. 133 

"South Hampton, October 22, 1677. 
Mr. Ikcbease Mather — ^Rev. Sir : Hopeing the 
health and wellfare of yourselfe and all yours in these 
sickly times, and times of sickness. By these lines you 
may understand that the Messenger who carried my let- 
ter to the Governor (which 1 mentioned in my letter to 
Jou dated S— last past, informed mee upon his retume 
ome that the Gov. received my letter, presently broke 
it and perused it, ordering him to call an hour after for 
another to mee (for he would write back he said) the 
which he did, but when he went the Gov., Capt. Brockas, 
l^nd Capt. Nichols were so busie with 3 Indian Sachems, 
brought from the Eastward, in drawing up Articles of 
peace and he had not leisure to write by him, but that 
there were some others that were shortly to call upon him 
for a letter to one of East Hampton and he would write by 
them, but to this day I have had no answer of my letter, 
and now I hear he is going to England (if he be not gone) 
80 that my intended journey to him to New York is frus- 
trated. I have been to the Main to visit friends there. 
My brother Stow presents his service to you. In my ab« 
sence from the Hand there hath been (it seems) a letter 
drawn up to yourselfe, Mr. Thacher,* and Mr. Allen,f 
concerning your approbations of mee. Its made known 
secretly to mee, and the most of the actors know not 
that 1 am privie to it, neither hath it been with my con- 
sent. Indeed one of my well willers once said K> me 
(since this great dust hath been raised) that he thought it 
the best way to send into the Bay to some of the elders 
to know their opinion of mee. 1 answered that I thought 
they bad sufficient testimony (1 meant by that ' ) and 
withall I said I should not be against it so they would send 
those that were the longest acquainted with mee. It 
might, I said, bee a meanes to cleare my name some what. 
I [referred to] J. Brock of Reading who was the first iii* 
rigaterto my taking the work upon me concerning I have 
more cau^e than others to say, ''Pros tauta tis ikaons."| 



w^ 



*Rev. Thomaa Thacher, first miniiter of the Old South church in 
Boiton. tRev. James Allen, minister of the First church in Boston. 
P* Who is sujjmentfor th§sc things" 

12* 




s 



134 HI8T0ET or SACO 

And thereupon the Reverend John Wheelwright, and 
Mr. Dalton the Pastor and Teacher of our church at 
Hampton encouraged to it. The others I named were 
Mr. John Hale of Bass river,* and Mr. Samuel Cheever 
of Marblehead, who had both of them been formerly 
ministers of our Eastern parts and of my acquaintan- 
ces. I lastly named Mr. John Higginson of Salem, as 
being less known to him, yet Grod haveing in his provi- 
dence so ordered it as that I have not only preached in 
bis room and stead, but 3 or 4 times he being present, 
and withall he being the greatest encourager that I bad 
to come into these parts 1 thought good to mention him. 
But while I was in town it would not be advisable to send 
at all. But no sooner am I gone off the Hand, in all haste 
a letter must be drawn up and sent to you and others that 
have had very litde experience of me. Sir I have made 
bold to acquaint you with these dealings that you may the 
better judge thereof (if such letter or letters come to your 
hand) and indeed being a stranger and cooped up and 
confined to an Hand where I have more cause than ever 
to say '^Amici boni rari sunt and that Amicus verus the* 
saurus est magnus." [Good friends are rare — A true 
friend is a great treasure.] But not to trouble you far- 
ther, with my humble service to yourself, and those Rev- 
erend Gentlemen, who are concerned in the Letter above, 
I committ you all and your Negoriations, Temptations and 
Burthens unto him that is both able and ready to accept our 
persons, and take notice of all our Moanes that we are 
moved by bis holy spirit to sigh and groan out before him. 
Remaineing Sir your humble and willing servant in what 
I may. Setu Flbtchsr." 

Second Letter. 

''Elizabeth Towne, March 25, 168L 
Mr. Increase Mather — Rev. Sir : You may please 
to call to mind that since I saw you in March (or Aprell) 
the year past, I wrott a Letter to you bearing date May 
28, 1680, and another before that. May 10, 1680. That 
upon May 10 (especially) being about Mr. Gershom Ho- 

^Beverly, Mass., of which place Air Hale was the firat miniater. 



Ann bi]>di:for»« 135 

bart's 168. 6d. which he is indebted to mee,* and Mr. 
Trapp's Exposition from Romans to the end of the Bible 
(in Quarto.^ I never heard from you since what hath been 
done with it, I am now more remote and so the more to 
secke of Cash. New-York not being such a place for the 
production of roony as Boston is. Be pleased therefore to 
acquaint Mr. Bateman at the draw bridge foote what you 
have done, or like to doctor are inclined to do about it. 
I have been much molested with Quakers here since I 
came. New ones comeing in one after another. Upon 
Feb. last past upon the motion of two of the sect, one of 
which two is a schoolemr to some children in the towne 
(by nation a Scott, by name John Usquehart,) by former 
profession (as fame makes known to mee) a Popish Priest 
A scbollar he doth professe himself to be, and I find that 
he hath the Latine tongue. The buisinesse of that day 
was for mee to maintain an Assertion viz. That a Qua- 
ker living and dyeing as a Quaker (without repentance) 
must find out a new gospell, which might aford diem hope 
of salvation, for what G<>d hath revealed in his holy word 
there was no salvation for them in their impenitent condi- 
tion. I opened the terms Explicated by way of distinc- 
tion of sedusers and seduced, and so their sinnes, and 
likewise what God expected from the one and the other 
sort, which being done (although there were four or five 
more Quakers in the throng, yet none appearing in the 
Cause but the scholler aforesaid and a Chirurgeon) I de- 
manded of them what they had to say against my Explanar 
tion. Instead of speaking pertinently the scholler (whom 
I understand had been at the University four or five years) 
begins to tell the people a story of Moses, Ezra, Ha- 
baccuk their being Quakers. Whereupon having the peo- 
ple an account of the business of the day I proceeded to 
six severall Arguments by which to make good my Asser- 
tion viz. That a Quaker liveing and dyeing as a Quaker 
(without repentance) according to what God hath revea- 
led in his word, he could not be saved. I in every argu- 
ment demanded what part of the Argument they would 
deny but instead of answer there was railing and threa-. 

*Rev. Gwrahom Hobut wai ofdftined at Giotoii, MaM. 1679. 




136 HISTORT OF 8AC0 

tenmg mee that my destruction was nigh at hand. To 
prove the Minor I contioualiy produced their owne au- 
thors and several things out of their Rabbie's hooks, wbieli 
80 exceedingly gauled them that then they set themselves 
to Humming, singing, reeling their heads and bodies (An- 
tique like) whereby both to disturb mee and to take of 
the people from attending to what I had to say for the 
maintaining the Assertion. Since that (I heare) I must ere 
long be proved to be no minister of Christ, and they have 
attempted to raise as great a party at Road-Island and 
Delleway Bay against mee as they can. Nay more they 
say England and their friends there shall heare of it and 
in speciall Will. Penn, whom I mentioned once and but 
once and then but in my 4th argument, Namely his de- 
nyall of Christ being a distinct person without us from his 
book entitled Counterfeet Christian p. 77. As for news 
about Commonwealth afiairs I saw a Proclamation of the 
old Governor forbideing upon PeriU the graunting any 
obedience to those in present power, promiseing open 
Courts shordy. The proclamation was put up here at 
our meeting house upon Sabbath mom March 6, 1680-1, 
but before morning exercise taken down, and the dav af- 
ter sent to York. What the issue will be God (in time) 
will discover. Sir no further toinlarge I take leave com- 
mitting you to the keeper of Israel, remaineing yours to 
serve you in Love. Seth Fletcher. 

I saw Mr. Abraham Person* in health upon Thursday 
morning March 9 at his own house and the next day Mr. 
Allen (in heahh also) at my house."f 

It appears from some expressions contained in the fore- 
going letters that Mr. Fletcher had been connected with 
the church at Hampton, N. H. He was perhaps pre- 

*Rev. Abraham Pieraon went to South Hampton with a company of 
emiffrants from Lynn, Mass. 1640. Lewis. He afterwards remoTod 
to Newark, N. J. where he is said to have died about 1681. His son, 
also named Abraham, was settled as his colleaj^e at Newark 1672, 
and was sabseqaently the first rector or president of Tale College.--* 
Faniur TrwnXndl. Hist. Conn. 

f The above letters are derived from tiie Mather MSS. in the library 
of the Mass. Hist. Society, from which' they were kindly transcribed 
Ibr our porposo by Mr. J. ColBiA. The MS. is obviooflly impeiftel. 




AND BIDDEFORD. 13T 

pared for the ministry by Mr. Dalton, the worthy pastor 
of that church. The nature of his difiiculiies at South 
Hampton is not very obvious ; his reputation, however,. 
bad been assailed, in defence of which he appealed to 
some of the most eminent clergymen in New England.^ 

The next minister was the Rev. William Miiburne. 
Sflay, 9, 1685, the selectmen were authorized ''to treat 
forthwith with Mr. Miiburne to^ know whether he will 
teach amongst them or not, and what satisfaction he will 
have of the town." ^t the May meeting next year, it 
was ordered '^at the arrearages of Mr. Milbume's salary. 
be paid by Aug. 6. and brought in to Goodman Scam- 
man and Edward Sargeant." July 12, it was ordered 
^^hat Mr. Milbume's salary be paid as follows : in beef 
l^d. per. lb.; pork 2id. ; wheat 4s. 6d. per bushel; 
peas 4s. 6d. ; Indian corn 3s. ; butter dd. per lb. ; boards 
18s. per M. ; red oak staves 16s.'' Arrangements were 
made at the same meeting for the erection of a parson- 
age house, to be 30 feet in length, 20 in breadth, and 
1 5^ stud, and to have four chimneys. The building com- 
mittee, then appointed, soon after met at the house qf. 
John Sharpe, and thus distributed their duties : Benja- 
min Blackman and John Edgecomb were to see the house 
framed, raised and enclosed ; John Sharpe and George 
Page to see to the shingling ; Scamman to have the eel-, 
lar dug and stoned ; and Roger Hill, Francis Backus and 
Pendleton Fletcher to see the chimneys made with brick. 
There is but one town record of that century after the 
year 1686;- viz. in 1688, which relates to a choice of se- 
lectmen. We have therefore no further information re-, 
specting the proceedings in relation to the settlement of 
Mr. Miiburne ; but they were probably frustrated by the 
renewal of Indian hostilities in 1688. 

A meetinghouse was built at Winter Harbor between 
the years 1660-1666. At a town commissioners' court, 

*Tfae Rev. John McDowell^ pastor of the First Presbvterian church . 
in Elizabeth Town, informs us that he has taken mdch pains to col- 
lect facts respecUng its early history, having written ana published & 
•ketch of it, but that he has found nothing earlier than the year 1687, 
although the town was settled 1664, and he has always supposed there 
itea* a ehurch as well dM pastor as early as the settlement. MS. Letter. 




138 IIISTOBT OF SACO 

1658, an order passed ^'that the meeting house shall 
stand by powder beefe tree where preparation is already 
made.'' This singular designation of the site of tlie 
building cannot now be explained. In a conveyance of 
a piece of marsh by Phillips to Walter Mover 1659, die 
premises are said to be "near Powder Beife Tree." 
Hence it is probable the meetinghouse was erected near 
the Pool. In the treasurer's account with the town 1664, 
we find the following items ; "Payd to John Henderson 
for his work at the meetinghouse 21. 12s. Payd to Maj. 
Phillips for boards 41. 5s. Payd to Robert Cooke and 
Simeon Booth for bringing boards from the falls for the 
meetinghouse 5s. The same ditto. Payd to Roger Hill 
for a diner lOs. ; to R. Hichkox for heefe 5s." The 
dinner was perhaps given at the raising, for the house 
was not completed at that time. The next year a rate 
was made to defray the expense of "seeling [ceiling] the 
meetinghouse. After it was completed, the following ar- 
rangement was made. "Sept. 22, 1666, at a generall 
towne meeting it is ordered at that meeting every one to 
be placed in thayr scats in the meetinghouse in maner 
following : in the first seale, 1 Alistress Mavericke, Phillips, 
Pendleton, Hooke, Bonitbon, Williams, Trustrum. 2 
Goodis Wadock, Coman, (Cummlng,) Gibbins, Booth, 
Buly, Hichkox. 3 Goodis Pennell, Kirkeet, Rogers, 
Bowden, Hill, Helson. 4 Goodis Sily, Hobs, Luscom, 
Maier, Wormstall, Scadlock. 5 Goodis Davis, Randall, 
Sergent, D. Sergent, Harman. Nazeter. 6 Goodise 
Chilson, Egcome, Henderson, Wakefeeld, Booth, Leigh- 
ton. 7 Hewes, Page, Frost. Secondly it is voated that 
the binch before the forth seate shall be speedyly set up 
againe in the meetinghouse, as atest Rob : Booth, Re- 
corder." "April, 1669, John Sharpe and James Gib- 
bins jr. is appointed to sit in the seate with Simion Booth 
in the foremost seat : And their wives are to sit in the 
third seate with S. Booth's wife and J. Lighton's wife,"* 



*dalUvan, p. 23S. notices this record in tho following erroneous 
manner . ** A vote ii recorded in the year liSGO, for seating the women 
in the maetinghouse, and Mrs. Phillips, and Goody Booth, who was 
no doubt the wife of Robert Booth, Esq. were placed in the most 
honorable seat" 



ANB BIDDErOBB. 139 

i\ The precedence io this arrangement seems to have 
been given to seniority, except in a few instances. IMis- 
tress Maverick was unquestionably the lady of Samuel 
Maverick, Esq. one of the King's Commissioners. The 
accurate historian of Mass. relates, that those gentlemen, 
after making appointments and 'exercising divers acts of 
government' in N. Hampshire and Maine, returned to 
Boston ; and that Mr. Maverick delivered a copy of a 
letter to the governor of that colony while setting in court, 
purporting to be from the King, in September 1666. 
The Commissioner, it thus appears, was not himself here 
at the date of our record, but owing probably to the un- 
kind reception with which they had met at Boston and at 
Portsmouth, he was induced to leave his family at this 
place, the seat of the new government, where the leading 
men and a great portion of the inhabitants had welcomed 
their arrival. The lady of Mr. Maverick was Mary, 
daughter of Rev. John Wheelwright, whom he married 
at Boston 1660.* Mr. Wheelwright left Wells about 
1647, and settled at Hampton, N. H., the sentence of 
banishment having been repealed by the General Court 
on his petition a few years before. He afterwards went 
to England, where he was in high favor with Cromwell, 
with whom he bad been contemporary at the university .f 
After the restoration of Charles it. he returned to this coun- 
try, and settled at Salisbury, Mass., where he died Nov. 
15, 1679. Samuel Wheelwright of Wells, a justice ] 665, 
was his son. He has numerous descendants in that town 
and vicinity at the present day. Mr. Maverick visited 
Boston 1667, with letters from Grovernor Nichols of New 
York, and perhaps accompanied that gentleman to Eng- 
land the same year. We find no subsequent notice of 

-him4 

- I ■ ' ■ ■ '■ ■ ■ » ■ I ■ ■— .— ^^ I 

*1^nthrop'8 Jour. i. 901 , note. tCotton Mather's letter to G. Vau- 
f han. uu Belkiiap. N. H. Appi. I. 

tCommisaioner Maverick was a son of Samuel M. of Noddle's Isl- 
and ; the latter died 1664. He was a wealthy planter, and owned 
prciperty in this quarter ; the names of his administrators (A. Check- 
Ij m rioston, John Wiswall of Dorchester) are in our county records. 
Letters of administration were granted to F. Hooke on the estate of 
Samuel Maverick jr., Nov. 16m. Antipas Maverick was of Kittery 
1652. We know of no connection of either with the oommissioner. 




440 niSTORT OF SACO 

Another disposition of the matrons in the meetinghouse 
tiras made by the selectmen Dec. 9, 1674, as follows: 
"1st seat. Mrs. Pendleton, Groodwife Trustrum, G. 
Waddock, G. Gibbins, G. Cammins. 2. G. Booth, Bu- 
ley, Hitchcock, Temple, Hill. 3. G. PenneO, Rogers, 
Bouden, Elern, Wormstall, Mar. 4. G. Silly, Carter, 
'Sargeant, Gibbins jr. Henderson, Rule, Sharp. 5. G. 
Harmon, Peard, Presbury, Case, Harmon jr. Read, Hen- 
derson jr. 6. G. Edgcomb, Wakefield, Booth, Leigb- 
ton, Frost, Page." 

An attendance on public worship was rigorously enfor- 
ced at this period by the civil authorities. Travelling on 
the sabbath was punished by a fine of 10s., including the 
officer's fee. None were excepted from the operation 
of these laws. Even under the jurisdiction of the 'King's 
Commissioners we find Mrs. Bridget Phillips subjected 
to a presentment by the grand jury for absence from pub- 
lic worship. John Jocelyn, Esq. the traveller, who was 
at this time residing with his brother, the principal magis- 
trate of the province, at Black-point, was presented for 
a similar offence. "We present," say the jurymen at a 
somewhat later date, "Arthur Beal for travelling from his 
own house upon the Sabbath day, about a mile, to speak 
with Job Young to so with him to the Point for a boat to 
^o to sea the week following." Mark Ree was fined 10s. 
"for breach of the sabbath for going to sea out of the 
"harbor on the Lord's day where the ministry was." John 
Wadleigh was presented for a common sleeper on the 
Lord's day, at the publique meeting : the onender d]»- 
•charged with an admonition, paying 2s. 6d. to the recor- 
der. Other offences that nowadays often escape punish'- 
iijent, were taken cognizance of by the courts. In 
1667, "Juliana Cloyse, wife to John, was presented 
for a talebearer from house to house, setting dififerenc^ 
between neighbors." A man was presented for idleness. 
The town of Scarboro' for not havmg a minister. Des- 
titute towns were required to pay 501. per annum towards 
the support of a minister in the neighboring town, until 
they were supplied. The persecution of Quakers ex- 
tended into tills quarter. An order was passed by the 



Mm BmBEroBD. 141 

Cmirt 1669, fhtt ^whatsoever quakers shall act in town 
affiurs as officers within the county of York, shall pay 
five pounds." Nich. Shapleigh of Kittery seems to have 
•fiivored this sect, for the constable of that town was or«* 
dered *^ repair to his house on two sabbath days, taking 
sufficient testimony with him, and to forbid him and afi 
jpereons assembled giving countenance to any such per- 
SODS or their ineetbgs contrary to the laws of this juris- 
diction.'' This was in 1663. 

The royal Conunissioners encouraged the revival of 
the cburch of £ngland among the inhabitants. The 
Miagistrates were directed by them ^^to maintain the wor- 
ship of God, and they (the Commissioners) desire that the 
people mav be convinced of the necessity of the sacra- 
ments, which they would have administered according to 
ihe church d* England." Mr. Jordan, who had laid a- 
side the ministerial office during the sway of Mass., was 
now desired by the people to baptize their children. 
This state df things continued, however, but a short time. 



CHAPTER XI. 

The discontents of some of the inhabitants of the Pro- 
ywce under the arrangement of 1'665, led them to peti- 
tion the Mass. government to resumie a jurisdiction. Four 
oommissioners, accompanied by a military escort, were im- 
mediately sent from the Bay, who came to York in July, 
1668* Mr. Jocelyn, and others of the Justices, had an 
interview with them on the morning of the day assigned 
ibr the opening of the court, and remonstrated against 
tbeir exercise of power in opposition to the commands of 
the King* It was of no avail, however, for the commis- 
sioners proceeded to the meetinghouse and opened the 
oouft. Notice bad been previously given to the towns to 
elect associates, and the marshal was now directed to read 
Uie returns. Five out of seven towns made returns, in 
one of which, say the commissioners in their report, "a^ 

13 




f42 BISTOBT OF 8ACO 

have half the electors sent m their votes.'' We beoce 
mfer that a majority in the other towns were opposed to 
eoming again under the power of Mass. While the court 
was engaged in examining the votes, the Justices appeared 
at the door of the house, wliere they made procbinatioQ 
that all should attend to the King's commands ; upon 
which the marshal of the Commissioners was direc* 
led to proclaim, '^that if any person had commands from 
his Majesty, the court was ready to hear tliem.**. The 
Justices then entered the house, and desired that a letter 
from CoL Nichols, one of the royal commissioners, ad- 
dressed to the Mass. government, should be publicly read 
to the people. The Commissioners replied that their re- 
quest should be complied with in the afternoon. During 
their adjournment, at noon, the Justices proceeded to hold 
a General Assembly of the Province in the same house ; 
deputies from the different towns were present, legally 
chosen, and public notice of the meeting of the Assembly 
was given by the marshal of the Province and his a6si&> 
lant. The Commissioners endeavored to prevent this 
step, and caused the marshal and his assistant to be ar- 
rested ; but on going to the meetinghouse they found their 
seats occupied by their opponents, and tlie house 611ed 
with people. Mr. Jocelyn and the other gentlemen con- 
sented to resign their places, however, provided tiieir 
commission and the King's mandamus should be read.; 
this being done, the Commisdoners were left in posses- 
sion of the house. On calling upon the associates fotmd 
to be returned, to take their oaths, one of them, Mr. 
Roger Plaisted, of. that part of Kittery now S. Berwick, 
desired to know by what right the government of the 
Province was re-assumed by Mass. ; to whom the Com- 
missioners replied, '&v virtue of their charter,^ The cuS" 
tomary civil and military officers were then appointed. 
Mr. rendleton, the associate from Saco, received the 
commission of Major of the forces in the County of York, 
as the Province was apin styled. 
The foregoing account is chiefly derived from the report 
made by the Mass. gendemen to the General Court. Mr. 
John Jocelyn, then residing at Black-point, has {pven a 



AKB BIDDSFOBD. 14S 

different statement of the circumstances. This author is 
reproached by the Mass. writers as a prejudiced person, 
entitled to little or no credit ; we know not, however, why 
he should be more likely to pervert facts, than the parties 
en the other side. Jocelyn says : "Sir F. Gorges suffered 
in the cause of the King ; wherefore he was discountenan- 
ced by the pretended commissioners for foreign planta- 
tions, and his Province encroached on by the Mass. Colo- 
ny, who assumed the government thereof. His Majesty 
that now reigneth (Charles II.) sent over his Commis- 
sioners to reduce them within their bounds, and to put 
Mr. Grorges again into possession. But these falling into a 
contest about it, the Commissioners settled it in the King's 
name, (until the business should be determined before his 
majesty,) and gave commissions to the Judge of their 
courts and the justices to govern and act according to the 
laws of England, and by such laws of their own as were 
not repugnant to them. But as soon as the Commission- 
ers were returned for England, the Massachusetts enter 
the Province in a hostile manner with a troop of horse 
and foot, and turned the judge and bis assistants off the 
bench, imprisoned the major or commander of the mili- 
tia, and threatened the judge and some others that were 
faithful to Mr. Gorges' interest."* 

The inhabitants did not all quietly submit to this arbi- 
trary resumption of power. That old offender, and in- 
veterate enemy to their authority, Mr. John Bonython, 
was again brought before the court for contempt. It was 
ordered, that if he ^'would give bonds for his appearance 
at the next court of assistants, or associates, to answer 
for his contempt of his Majesty's authority settled in the 
Colony, and in the meantime keep the peace and submit 
to his Majesty's government, it would be accepted. At 
the first Mr. Bonython refused to accept the court's ten- 
der, but upon further consideration yielded his subjection 
to this authority of the Mass. under his Majesty, for fur- 
ther confirmation whereof he and his son, Mr. Thomas 
Bonython, did both of them take oath in the presence of 

♦Jocclyn*fl Voyagee. 199. 




144 HUTOBT or SAGO 

this court.'' Jolm acoorcHngly appeared at the next coark 
The presentment of the graod jury was as follows : '*Wo 

S resent John Bonython, senior, for his contempt of tho 
lass, government, and for saying that the Bay men are 
rogues and rebels against his Majes^, and that rc^ue Maj. 
Leverett he hoped would be hanged, and if he wanted t 
hangman, he would be one for them." Fined 22L Mr* 
Bonython gave as security for the payment of the fine Mr. 
Seth Fletcher 5/. ; R. Foxwell 6/. ^ R. Cummins 6L ; J* 
Gibbins 50s. ; J. Presbury 50^. Thomas Taylor was pro* 
sented at this court ^'for abusing Capt. F. Raynes being 
in authority by thee-ing and ihou-ing of him, and many 
other abusive speeches." John Bonython jr. and Tbos; 
Bonython were presented '^for living in a disorderly family 
in the house of their father, a contenmer of this au* 
thority.*' 

The usurpation by the Mass. Colony at this time, was 
a bolder step than the former one ; since the govemmettt 
of the province bad been assumed in trust by the erowo^ 
to be restored to the party in whose hvat a decision 
should be made in England. Renewed exertions were 
now used by the lord proprietor and his friends to obtain 
a recognition of his title. Petitions were sent from the 
Province, complaining of the subversion of the King's aiK 
tbority by the Bay magistrates, and desiring the crown 
again to interpose. At length they so far prevailed as to 
obtain letters from the sovereign, dated March 10, 1675-^ 
requirins the Mass. Colony to send over agents to ap- 
pear before bim in six months after the receipt of the 
letters, with full instructions to answer the complaints and 
receive final judgment in the case. The Colony deputed 
William Stoughton of Dorchester, and Peter. Bulidey of 
Concord, for this purpose ;* ''who were ready to attend 
his Majesty's pleasure at Whitehall, {|says a writer of that 

^ period] within the time limited in his royal letters ; and 
not long after, upon a just hearing of the allegations of 
each party, his majesty was pleased to give his final de-. 
termination, wherein he saw cause to confirm unto the 
Massachusetts their charter, with the original bounds of 

' I III II II II ■«■ Mil I I «in I - I rn ■ I II tn -n» — ~ ■..-.- 

*The former was afterwards lieut-govemor and ohief-juitio^ i tha 
latter had been ipeakar of the Iioom of dopatiWf 



.J' 




MVr MDBifrOB]). I4S 

ifae sanrve ;' and the Pirovince of Maine was also, by the 
said determination, not altered, but left to the heirs of 
Sir F. Gorges^ both as to soil and the government.'^* 
Thus Sir Ferdinando received a fijll confirmation of his 
title to the property and jurisdiction of the Province, to 
which he had succeeded as the oldest son of Sir John Gor* 
)S, the heir of the original grantee and lord proprietor, 
sooner, however, was the decision obtained, than an 
agent of Mass. made propositions for the purchase of the 
provinee, which were accepted : in March 1677, Gor- 
ges transferred his title for the sum of twelve hundred 
ponnds sterling.f This step of the proprietor excited 
tfie surprise and astonishment of the inhabitants of the 
province, and gave offence to the King, who claimed a 
prior right to make the purchase for tlve protection of his 
subjects from the abuses of which they had complained, 
Mm demanded a re-assignment to the crowny ofiering to 
re-pay the agent of the Colony the consideration he 
fead given. A ^Declaration,' or remonstrance, signed by a 
iurge number of the principal inhabitants,, opposed to the 
transfer, was forwarded to England ^ and it even be- 
came necessary for the government of Mass. to send an 
armed force into the Province to quiet the people. The 
Colony however refused to accede to the wishes either of 
the king or the inhabitants, and proceeded to establish a 
separate jurisdiction over the purchased territory, which 
was regarded as a province^ in the right of Gorges, and 
no longer a part of their own territory, conveyed by their 
patent. That pretence being no longer necessary, was 
DOW abandoned. The following proclamation was issued 
on the organization of the government, a new mode of 
administration being commenced, in which the provincial 
style was adopted, and a distinct but dependent jurisdic- 
tion established. 

"York, 17 March, 167^80. The freeholders of the 
Province of Maine being summoned met ; a commission 



*Habbard. Hif t N. E. 613. HutehinsoD. Hist. Mass. i. 281. 
fSnlUvan, 383, safs the sale was effected ^'wHtfr the matter was in 
difcussion before the King and Council/* and this statement is sup* 
ported by ths Kinff's letler of 1679. Hutcb. Hist. i. 894. 

13* 




146 HfSTOBY or 9Aoa 

under the seal of the Governor and Couheil of his Ma- 
jesty's Colony of Massachusetts was openly exhibited 
and read, declaring that the said Governor &c. are now 
the lawful assigns of Sir F. Gorges, Knight, to the end 
that the abovenamed Province might be protected in the 
enjoyment of their just right and privileges according to 
the rules of his Majesty's royal charter granted unto the 
abovenamed Sir F. Grorges, Kt. The abovenamed Gov- 
ernor and Council have erected and constituted a Court 
and Council — they have chosen and deputed Thomas 
Danforth, Esquire, for the first year, President. The 
within named gentlemen are commissioned for the first 
year : Capt. John Davis, M^or B. Pendleton, Capt. 
Joshua Scottow, Capt. John Wincoll, Edward Rishworth, 
Francis Hooke, S. Wheelwright, Capt. Charles Frost." 

The warrants for the choice of deputies to the General 
Assembly, to be holden at York, were then sent forth, 
and the session commenced March SO, 1680. E. Risb- 
worth was chosen Secretary ; F. Hooke, Treasurer 
the Province. Maj. Bryan Pendleton was appointed De- 
puty President, and authorized with the assistance of other 
members of the Council, or justices, to hold intermediate 
terms of court. John Davis of York succeeded Maj. 
Pendleton as deputy-president the following year, ui 
1684, the Assembly consisted of the President, De- 
puty President, Assistant, six Justices, and twelve DepiH 
ties. Full powers for the regulation of the affairs of the 
Province seem to have been committed to this body. Its 
proceedings were of a very mixed character ; laws were 
made and enforced ; legal questions settled ; letters of 
administration granted, and estates proved ; military com- 
missions issued : provision made for the public safety in 
war ; roads laid out ; the religious afilkirs of towns super- 
intended ; and in short, every subject of public, and 
many of private interest, came under the cognizance of 
these courts. An election sermon was preached at the 
commencement of each session. The Rev. Shubael 
Dummer, minister of York, performed this duty 1683. 

President Danfortli did not reside permanently in the 
Province ; his family remained at Cambridge, Mass. H« 
was a popular and prudent magistrate. He held the of- 



Axm BiODEroB9« 147 

flee of Deputy Gov. of Mass. at the same time. Saco 
aeot one deputy to the Assemblies under this government ; 
the first year, Mr. John Harmon; in 1682, Mr. John 
Davis, who, the record of the couit says, 'was disaccep- 
ted as a scandalous person.' The laws of the Mass. 
Colony required a deputy to the Gen. Court to be 'sound in 
the orthodox faith,' as well as not 'scandalous in conversa- 
tion.'* The refusal of a seat to Davis shows that one at 
least of these requisitions was observed in reference to 
the Assemblies of the Province. In 1683, the town was 
. represented by Mr. Benjamin Blackman ; the next year 
by John Sargeant; in 1685 by Capt. George Turfrey. 

The. government might now appear to be firmly estab- 
lished ; the inhabitants at length became reconciled to 
it, and the conflict of patents and titles was no more. But 
another revolution awaited them. James II. succeeded 
to the throne of England 1685 ; in April of that year 
he was publicly proclaimed at York in this Province. 
The old scheme of a general government for the colonies 
was soon after revived ; the charter of Mass. was recalled, 

- and a President appointed for all New England. Joseph 
Dudley, Esq. received the commission of President early 
in 1686. A council was appointed at the same time, 
composed of seventeen gentlemen, resident in difi^er- 
ent parts of N. England ; among whom was F. Cham- 
pemoon, Esq. of Kittery, who had been of the Council 
of Gorges in 1640. Under this administration, Dan- 
forth was removed from his ofilice, and a court composed 
of William Stoughton, Judge, John Usher and Edward 
Tyng, Esquires, Councillors, with a justice from each 
town, sat at York in October of the same year. Presi- 
dent Dudley was superseded by Sir Edmund Andros be- 
fore the close of 1686, whose arbitrary government las- 

- ted about two years, terminating with the reign of his mas- 
ter. In the winter of 1688, Andros came into the Pro- 
vince at the head of six or seven hundred men, for the 
destruction of the Indians ; but the energy manifested on 
this occasion was ill-directed, and proved ruinous to his 



*AiiGicDt t^barten and Laws of Mats. Bay. 98. 




146 sirraAr ot Bieo 

followers stone. The enemy easily eluded bim. He 
marched from Boston to Pemaquid, forty miles east of 
the Kennebec, amid the rigors of winter, without see- 
ing a solitary savage. He returned early in the spring 
by water, attended by Mr. Randolph, his principal coun- 
sellor. It appears from a letter of the latter, addressed 
to Mr. Povey, that Governor Andros stopped at Winter 
Harbor on his way to Boston. *'At our return," says 
Randolph, *^we saw very good land at Winter Harbor, 
enough to make large settlements for many people; the 
governor will have it measured, and then surveyed, and 
then will dispose of it for settlements."* The rapacity . 
of Andros was unbounded ; he doubtless intended to 
make a profitable speculation out of the lands with which 
he was so much pleased. The best established titles pre- 
sented a feeble obstacle to his wishes. But news of the 
revolutionary movements in England reaching Boston 
soon after his return, he was forcibly seized and sent out 
of the country. After this event, President Danfortb re- 
sumed the duties of his office,f which he probably con- 
tinued to exercise until the reception of the new Charter 
in 1692. This instrument provided 'Hbat the territories 
and colonies commonly called and known by the names 
of the Colony of the Mass. Bay, and Colony of New 
Plymouth, the Province of Maine, the Territory called 
Accada, or Novs^ Scotia, and all that tract of land lying 
between the said territories of Nova Scotia and the said 
Province of Maine, be incorporated, &c. into one reaP 
Province by the name of our Province of the Mass. Bay 
in New England." Maine, as far as Nova Scotia, was 
constituted a county under the old name of York ; and 
continued undivided until the year 1760, when the 
County of York was reduced to its present limits. 

A union of Saco with the town of Cape Porpoise, now 
Kennebunk-port, seems to have been ordered by Gov^ 
Anriro!^, as it appears from the following record, the last 
contained in the old town book : *'By a legal town roee- 

*Hatch. State Papers. 564. 
tThis faet in not itated bj any writer within oor knowledge, but 
11 derired ftonf initractiomifmren toCol. Chnrch by the PrMioaiitia 
1689. Churdi'f Narrative. 9S. (second edition.) 



X 



ANI^ KBDEPCnai. 149 

tijig for 9lR6^alld Cape Porpoite tccordiog to lew, on 
Monday, 21 May, 1688, whereat ThcNnnafl Shepherd^ 
Francis Backus, John Edgecomb and John Abbot are 
chosen selectmen ibr Saco, and Richard Peard constat 
•Ue for the same ; and John Miller and Nicholas Mering. 
selectmen for Cape Porpus, and Richard Randall consta** 
Ue-for the aame, and it is ordered that if Cape Porpus 
will not accept of the selectmen and constable chosen by 
the town of Saco, then the selectmen in Saco and con- 
stable &x the same, shall act and do for them as select- 
men and constable of the same. Also Edward Sargeant, 
is chosen commissioner, and William Geale town-clerk, 
and Thos. Doubty town treasurer." The records c£ 
Cape Porpoise for tliat period are not preserved, and we 
are nnaUe to explain the cause of this temporary union, 
of which we find no other notice* 

Jocelyn, whose ^Voyages' we have so often quoted, 
|ublished 1672, has given a brief description of the towns 
in this quarter, with which their present populous codk 
dition afibrds a strikio^ contrast He says : **Town8 
diere are not many in this Province. Kittery is the most 
populous. Next to the eastward is seated by a river 
near the sea, Gorgiana, a Mayorahie and the metropolir 
lan of the P^vince. Further east is the town of Wells. 
Cape Porpoise east of that, where there is a town by the 
seaside of the same name, the bouses scatteringly built. 
All these towns have store of sah and fresh marsh with 
arable land, and are well stocked with cattle. About 8 
or 9 miles to the east of Cape Porpoise is Winter Ua^- 
bor, a noted place for fishers ; here they have many 
stages. Saco adjoins to this, and both make one scatter- 
ing town of large extent, well stored with cattle, arable 
land, and marshes, and a sawmill. Six miles to the east 
of Saco and 40 miles from Gorgiana, is seated the town 
of Black-point, consisting of aU>ut 50 dwellingbouses, 
and a Magazine or Doj^anne, scatteringly built. They 
have store of neat and horses ; of sheep near upon 7 or 
800 ; much arable and marsh, salt and fresh, and a corn- 
mill. To the soulh of the point (upon which are stages 
for fishermen) lie two small islands ; beyond the point 
north east runs the river Spurwink. Nine miles east of 




150 BISTORT OF 8ACO 

Black-poiot lyeth scatteringly the town of Casco, upon a 
large bay, stored with cattle, sheep, swine, abundance of 
marsh and arable land, a commill or two with the stagei 
for fishermen. Further east is the town of Kennebeck 
seated upon the river. Further yet east is the Sagade- 
hock where are many bouses scattering, and all aloor 
stages for fishermen ; these too are stored with cattle and 
cornlands." 

The Rev. William Hubbard, of Ipswich, published in 
1677, a history of the war with the Indians, then just 
terminated at the west, and devoted a separate portion of 
bis work to the eastern country. This book having pass^ 
ed through numerous editions, is probably familiar to most 
of our readers : but a brief extract descriptive of the 
plantations in this vicinity, will not be out of place. "Not 
far from Casco bay, to southward or southwest, is a river 
called Spurwink, over against which lies Richmond Isl- 
and, not far from the main land, being divided therefroqi 
by a small channel, fordable at low water ; it hath for a 
long time been the seat of Mr. Jordan in the right of 
Mr. Winter, the former if not the first proprietor thereof, 
whose daughter he married. The next plantation south- 
ward is called Scarborough, a small village seated upon 
Black-point, over against which is another point, for dis- 
tinction from the former called Blue-point. This Black- 
point was lately the seat of Mr. Jocelyn, being a parcel 
of the Province of Maine, or falling within the precinct 
thereof, and was formerly by patent granted to the said 
Jocelyn or his predecessors, since purchased by Mr. 
Scottow of Boston. Saeo river Kes next in order to 
Pascataqua, a navigable river, where Major Phillips had 
a commodious situation lately ; at the mouth of which 
river lies Winter Harbor, encompassed on one side by a 
neck of land, formerly the property of one Mr. Winter 
whose name it still retains,* but lately purchased by Maj. 
Pendleton, where he enjoyed a very comfortable seat 
and habitation." 

*Thi8 error of Mr. Hubbard is eaffictently obvious'; Winter of 
Richmond island WM Um onlj ponoft of the naine in this qiiar^ at 
an early dato» 



AND BIDDKVORD. 151 

The towns in the western part of the Province, espe- 
oially Kittery, took the lead in business and population 
Tery soon after the settlements were made. The town 
of Kittery was of great extent, reaching twelve or fifteen 
miles up the principal branch of the Pascataqua. The 
following list of county rates for the year 1662, shows 
the relative valuation of the towns at that time. ''Kjt- 
tery lOl. ; York 7/. ; Wells 7/. ; Cape Porpoise 3/. ; 
Saco 6/. ; Scarboro' 7/. ;. Falmouth 6/." Another list 
taken 1688; ''Kittery 162. 39. 6d.; York 6/. U. lOd.; 
Wells 41. 3«. 4d. ; Saco 3/. 19s. 2d. ; Black-point 32. 
16$. 2d. ; Falmouth ALSs. 4d. ; Cape Porpoise 12. lOd. ; 
Isle of Shoals 12. lOd.'* The amount to be raised in 
the last year, was 412. \4s. 4d. at a ^d. per pound. The 
property rated in Saco by this estimate was valued at 
17002. or about $7000. The town was at that time in a 
inuch less flourishing condition than it had been during 
the residence of Phillips and. Pendleton, and before the 
depredations of the Indians commenced. Nor is it pro- 
bable that an accurate valuation was made. 
. A prison was ordered to be built at Casco 1668. The 
following record informs us of the proportion of the ex- 
pence levied upon this town. ''March 6, 1668. The 
selectmen being mett to make a rate for charges about 
the gaole or prison at Casco, the deputies there do order 
this towne to pay 152. 16«. lid. which sum is concluded 
on, and a rate made by them to be gathered in by the 
j25 day of this month where the constable shall apoynt, 
in wheat at 58. 6d. the bushel ; indian corn at 3s. 6d. any 
other pay at pryce curant : pease at 4s. : the place of re- 
ceiving the pay is appoynted to be at the stage, in Ralph 
Trustrum house there, and four pence for every bushel 
they shall pay beside to R. Trustrum for the freight of it, 
and for any other pav they may agree with goodman 
Trustrum to carry it.'' 

Sullivan quoting a part of this record remarks, that 
''it rnay be concluded from it that there was no great 
scarcity of money in the country at that time." The 
meeting of 'deputies at Casco' probably had reference to 
a special object. It was holden on the last Tuesday of 



r 



153 lUMTOAT or SAM 

February; R. Booth was iiMitnicted to present *die toiro^ 
estate,' and to *act in its behalf.' The Greneral Asseah C 
b]f met at Saco in May following. L 

1 



1 1 



CHAPTER XH. 



I 

at 



A numefous tribe of Indians dwelt about the mouth cff t 
Saco river, and near the principal falb, when the eaily i 
European navigators visited our shores. And long after s| 
the settlements of the English were here made, diey stiU ( 
lingered in considerable numbers in their ancient places ^ 
of abode, mingling familiarly with the new inhabitants* 
Their rights were evidently respected, while severe retir- 
butions were sure to follow the comfnission of acts of 
violence or mischief. Thus the records of 1636 show, 
that while the planter was required to use his best en- 
deavor to apprehend, or kill, any Indian known to have 
murdered any English, or destroyed thehr property, he 
was also compelled to pay satisfaction to the bdian he 
wronged. In this manner the utmost tranquility appears 
to have prevailed in the Province throughout the lives of 
the first cokmists, in their relations with the natives. The 
friendly intercourse of the natives vrith the inhabitants 
continued undisturbed, till the bold and resdess spirit of 
the chief of the Wamponoags of Narraganset bay, eonf- 
monly styled Kjng Philip, conceived the design of ex- 
terminating the whites bv a general insurrection of ike 
tribes throughout New England. Some alarm was ex- 
cited a few years before hostilities commenced, by certain 
movements of the same ehief, and in 1671, a warrant 
^ame to the towns in Maine from the Major General, di- 
recting them to be furnished with the necessary stores of 
ammunition ; when our townsmen ordered Maj. Pendletoa 
to procure for them ^with aH convenient speed', a cwt« 
of swan shot and pisuA bullets, and a barrel of powder^ 
This speck of war soon vanished, however, and not lone 
after we find the town censured ^for not providing a stocs 
t>f powder and balls according to law.' The militia of 



AHD BlDDXrOKD. 153 

!lM fmn^ca at this period, amounted to 700 men, distri- 
imted iQ the different towns in the following proportion : 
Kittery contained 180, York 80, Wells and Cape Por- 
poise 80, Saco 100, Black-point 100, Casco bay 80, Saga- 
debock, 80.* 

The plans of Philip, extensive and deeply laid, were 
not fully ripe for execution, when on 24 June, 1675, an 
accidental afiiray occurring between a number of English 
and Indians near Providence Plantations, kindled the 
flame of war. The news soon reached this Province, 
«nd 1 1 July, Henry Sawyer of York, communicated it 
by letter to the inhabitants of Kennebec. The first symp- 
toms of a disposition to follow in the steps of the western 
Indians, were shown in the plunder of the dwelling and 
trading house of Mr. Thomas Purchase, the old planter 
«t Pegypscot, (Brunswick) by about twenty of the Andro- 
vco^n tribe in the absence of Purchase and his sons. 
They pretended to have been wronged in their dealings 
vnth him, but satisfied themselves with taking a supply of 
liquor and ammmunition, spoiling a feather bed, and kill- 
ing a few sheep. 'These,' says a writer of that day, 
*were but the messengers of death,' for as they departed, 
Ibey warned the family that others would come and do 
them greater injury. A few days after, the house of John 
Wakely, situated on the east of Presumpscot river, with- 
in the limits of Casco, or Falmouth, was attacked, and the 
ibmily, composed of the o\^ man and his wife, his son, 
with bis wife and three children, were cruelly murdered. 
Another child named Elizabeth, about 1 1 years of age, 
"WHS carried away, it is said, among the Narragansets ; a 
drcumstance that shows the connexion between the west- 
tm and eastern Indians in these hostilities. 

The principal Sachem of the Saco Indians at that 
time, was called Squando. He was not only a chief, but 
« powow, or priest, and by the practice of mysterious rites 
and a species of sorcenr, had acquired great influence 
among «9 brethren* He appears to have dwelt in the 
neighborhood of the settlements, and to have discovered 
marks of attachment to the white inhabitants, until an un- 

— * •- 

*Ciuliiwn' Felit Ann. i. 607, qaowd by Uolines, An. Annala. . 

14 




154 BISTORT or SAC« 

bappy cause of offence arose, at the very time when the 
emissaries of king Philip were striving to excite the eastern 
Indians to acts of hostility. The wife of Squando, with 
an infant at her breast, was passing on the river, when 
some English sailors thoughtlessly overset tlie canoe, for 
the purpose, they pretended, of seeing whether the chil- 
dren 01 Indians were, like brute animals, naturally swim- 
mers. The mother recovered the child, but it soon af- 
ter fell sick and died. Squando was deeply exasperated 
by this insulting and afflictive act, and became at once a 
zealous and powerful promoter of war. Uniting with a 
band of the Androscoggin savages, he prepared them for 
an attack on our townsmen. Notice of their approach, 
and of the presence of a western Indian with them, was 
fortunately given by a friendly native, and the inhabitants 
who lived about the falls, retired into the garrison house 
of Major Phillips. This house was a few rods below the 
falls, on the western side of the river ; the mansion of 
S. Peirson, Esq. is nearly on the same spot. A few days 
after, Saturday morning, Sept. 18, the house of Mr. John 
Bonython, on the eastern side of the river, was discovered 
at the garrison to be on fire. Bonython had deserted it 
only a day or two before, to avoid being exposed to the 
expected assault. There was just time enough after the 
alarm thus given, to collect all within the garrison and 
prepare to receive the enemy ; for in half an hour a sen- 
tinel placed at an upper window, espied an Indian lurking 
by the side of a fence near a cornfield. The discovery 
being communicated to Maj. Phillips, be ran up to satis- 
fy himself of its reality, when one of the men following 
faim, cried out, ''Major, do you intend to be killed ?" at 
that moment he turned round, when a bullet struck him 
in the shoulder, which would doubtless have proved fatal, 
bad he retained his first position. The wound was slight. 
The Indians, supposing the major was killed, started up 
from their concealment, shputing with exultation. The 
people in the garrison immediately opened a brisk fire 
upon them, in the course of which their leader was so 
severely wounded, that he retired from the place of ac- 
tion, and died a few days after in the woods three or four 
miles distant* The attack lasted about one hour, wbea 



ANB BIHDEFOKD. 155 

the savages, discouraged by the resolute defence of the 
garrison, despaired of taking it by assault. 

They now began destroying the adjacent property of 
Major Phillips ; set 6re to his saw mill, after that to his 
corn*mill, and burned a house occupied by one of his ten- 
ants. They hoped by this means to draw the men out 
of the garrison, calling repeatedly to them, ''Come out, 
you cowardly English dogs, and stop the 6re !" Find- 
ing this had not the desired effect, they renewed their 
assault on the garrison, and continued it during the after- 
noon. The people resisted them stoutly, although some- 
what disheartened by not receiving relief from Winter 
Harbor, which they expected in the course of the day. 
One of the best men was disabled by a wound, in the 
early part of the attack, but animated by Major Phillips, 
they held out through the night. Towards morning it 
was suspected from the hammering and other noises about 
the half-burned mills, that they were devising some mode 
to set fire to the house; and accordingly about four o'- 
clock, after the setting of the moon, a cart was discover- 
ed approaching the garrison, drawn by oxen, the drivers 
and others protected by a sort of rampart built up in 
front. It was filled with straw, birch bark, powder, and 
other combustibles, which they intended to throw on the 
house, having long poles for this purpose. Fortunately as 
this novel engine drew near, (the men being ordered to 
reserve their fire until it came within pistol shot,) exciting 
the consternation of the besieged, one of the wheels iu 
passing a small gutter stuck fast in the mud, and caused 
the cart to incline to the left ; by which means the Indians 
were exposed to a raking fire from one of the flankers 
of the garrison. Six of them were killed, and fifteen 
wounded. After this loss, they forthwith decamped, and 
at sunrise were all gone. The exact number was not 
known, but was computed at not less than a hundred. The 
garrison contained 50 persons in all, but only ten eflTec- 
tive men. Not one life was lost. The savages went off 
in the direction of Blue-point. Major Phillips sent that 
day (Sunday) to Winter Harbor for assistance, informing 
the inhabitants of what had passed : but no relief appear- 
bgi andliaving consumed their ammunition, they ali remo* 




15fr BISTOBT OF SAGO 

ved to that part of the town on Tuesday. About a fort- 
night after, the Indians came and burned the house. All 
die houses above Winter Harbor were destroyed soon af- 
ter. A Mrs. Hitchcock was taken and carried away at 
this time, who died the winter following by eating some 
poisonous roots for ground nuts, while wandering in the 
woods. At least, this was the account afterwards given 
by the Indians. Not long after five persons going up 
Saco river, were cut off by the same party of Indians. 

In the month following, the heroic Lieut. Plaisted Was 
killed with many others, at Newichawannock, (South Ber- 
wick,) and in the lower part of Kittery several were cot 
off. About the same time, Lieut. Andrew Augur (or 
Alger,) and two others were attacked by a party of In- 
dians in Scarboro'. After exchanging several shots, the 
savages left them, and set fire to the neighbouring bouses. 
Lieut. Augur died soon after of the wounds received ia 
the attack ; his brother Arthur was likewise killed in a 
few days not far from the same place.^ Their housoa 
stood in a field now owned by Judge Southgate, and near 
his residence, where kernels of corn and wheat, partially 
burned, have been found within a few years, which have 
remained undecayed since 1675. The widow of Arthur 
Augur removed to Marblehead, Mass., where she execu* 
ted a deed of a piece of land lying at Black-point, which 
bad been granted to her father, Giles Roberts, by Mr. 
Henry Jocelyn ; the deed is dated Aug. 1676. Andrew 
Augur was among our inhabitants 1653, and received a 
grant in the partition of town lands in that year. As ear- 
ly as 1651, the brothers purchased a tract of 1000 acres 
i^n Scarboro', from the widow and two children of a Sagar. 
more, according to the acknowledgement of one of them 
taken twenty years after.f Arthur leaving no beirs» 
John, the son of Lieut. Augur, inherited this property, 
which he transmitted on his decease to his five daughters. 
Of these Elizabeth married Mr. John Milliken, the an- 
cestor of the numerous families of that name in Scar- 
boro' and Saco ; who purchased out the other heirs, and 



' ^Hubbard. tBee Appendix £. The name of Andrew appears is 
lb» ooart reoof <|fl i640. Abo?e, p. 59^ foi ^th^r 1^94 Andrew.; , 



AND BIDDEFORD. 157 

at his death left the whole estate to his sons. The tract 
lies chiefly in the parish of Dunstan, extending nearly 
two miles on the post road, and includes the valuable esr 
tate of Hon. Robert Southgate. 

In the course of the season, Capt. Wincoll, of Newicha*- 
wannock, marched with a small company to the relief of 
liis eastern neighbors. After one skirmish with the enemy, 
in which he lost several of his men, he was attacked by a 
party supposed to consist of 150 in all, whOe marching 
on the seashore. His number was only eleven, yet by 
taking shelter behind the rocks, near the water side, they 
plied their guns so well as to kill several of the Indians 
and beat off the rest. The scene of this engagement is 
not mentioned in the account, but it appears to have been 
on the eastern side of Saco river. Some of our inhabi- 
tants, nine in number, hearing the guns, repaired to the 
f etief of Wincoll, but unhappily falling into an ambush, 
were all cut off, with two others that lived near the spot. 
The Indians retired to Black-point, where they burned 
seven bouses and destroyed a number of the inhabitants. 

From the commencement of hostilities to Decemberi 
1675, it was computed that upwards of 50 of the Eng* 
Ksh settlers between the Pascataqua and the Kennebec, 
were slaiii in the different encounters, and nearly a hun« 
dred of the enemy. The winter setting in unusually se- 
vere, the Indians were so much pinched by cold and hun* 
cer, that they sued for peace, and with this view came to 
Major Waldron of Dover, N. H. 'expressing great sor* 
row for what had been done and promising to be quiet 
and submissive.' A general peace with the eastern In« 
tf ans was then concluded, which lasted until the succee- 
ding August. Many captives were now restored. A- 
mong them was Elizabeth Wakely who had been taken 
at Casco. She was returned by Squando, the Saeo Saga* 
more, to Maj. Waldron in June. Besides the authority 
ef Hubbard for this fact, we find on record the following 
deposition, taken at Dover Feb. 15, 1723 : 

''Robert Evans testifieth, that some time in a war thai 
was called Philip's war, the now Elizabeth Scamman was 
brought in by the Indians to Cocbecho, (Dover,) and she 
went by the name of Elizabeth Weakle, and die report 
was that she was taken at Casco bay. her grandfather and 

14* 




156 ttSTOBT nW 8AC0 

father were killed.** Elizabeth at the date of the depo- 
sition xns about sixty years of age.* 

The depredations of the Indians were renewed 11 
August, 1676, the day before that of the death of Kin| 
Philip, and the consequent termination of the war in tbe 
western colonies. The first outrage was committed at 
Cascoi to which the Androscoggin Indians were instiga- 
ted by a notorious western savage called Simon. This 
fellow and two others who had been the actors in many 
bloody scenes in that part of tbe country, when the war was 
there drawing to a close fled into this quarter for safety ; 
but being taken, they were committed to Dover gaol, 
whence they contrived to make their escape. They took 
refuge among the Androscoggin tribe and soon after were 
concerned in a treacherous attack on Casco, killins and 
making prisoners of more than thirty persons. At the 
same time the settlements on the Kennebec were laid 
waste. 

Tbe news of these depredations reaching Boston, a 
small force consisting of 130 soldiers and 40 Nadck In- 
dians, was sent down by the Government. Arriving at 
Dover, Sept. 6, they were joined by Capt. Charles Frost 
of Kittery, with his company, and there seized and dis- 
armed a large body of Indians, who had been concerned 
in the war at the westward, now at peace. They were 
assembled at the house of Major Waldron, whom they 
professed to regard as their /riend and father. Their 
number was upwards of 400, one half of whom, known 
to have escaped from Massachusetts, were sent to Boston 
and there hanged, or sold as slaves. The rest were pea* 
ceably dismissed. The troops then marched to Caseo» 
stopping at Newichawannock, Wells, Winter Harbor and 
Black-point ; they met with only two Indians in their 
march, but were constantly bearing of outrages in difier- 
ent places not far off. While they were at Casco, Mr. 
James Gooch of Wells was shot from his horse as he was 
returning from meeting, Sept. 24 ; his wife was barba- 

*She was perhapi the wife of Willitm Scamman, a ion of Rich- 
ard, who resided at Portsmouth 1G42. Richard married a daughter 
of WilUaro Waldron of Dover, and his son William was bom I6M. 
Farmer, Otneol, Register, 



^^STm-i ■^- -^^— riMrwrtmnmmi^mitiBmmm 



rotisly murdered at the same time. Other deeds of vio* 
leace equally cruel were perpetrated in that vicinity, at 
York, Cape Neddick, and other places. But when the 
forces returned, the savages escaped back into the woods. 
Soon after, Octo. 12, atK>ut 100 of them, under a noted 
fellow called Mogg, (who is stated to have mingled much 
with the settlers, and was perhaps the same that sold lands 
to Major Phillips a few years before,) attacked the garri- 
son at Black-point, commanded by Mr. Jocelyn. The 
fortificadon in which the inhabitants were collected, was 
built near the extremity of the point, and might have been 
leasiiy defidnded. Mogg being familiarly known to Mr. 
Jocelyn, held a parley with him at a short distance from the 
garrison, and offisred to allow all to depart with their goods 
on the surrender of the place. When these terms were 
proposed, Mr. Jocelyn returned and found the people 
had escaped by water ; none were left but his own fami- 
ly and servants, incapable of making resistance. He was 
thus compelled to surrender. The inhabitants were 
blamed for their conduct in this affiiir. We are not in* 
jbrmed what treatment the captives received from the In- 
dians. Mr. Jocelyn must have been far advanced in life at 
that time ; he is said to have removed afterwards to the 
Colony of Plymouth.* The Indians appear to have 
moved over as far as Saco river, since the house of Thos. 
Rogers near Goose-fair brook, was burned this month.f 
There is t traditionary story, that Mr. Rogers removed 
to Kittery on the breaking out of the war, together with 
other inhabitants of the town, a party of whom afterwardii 
came down to take away their goods. Landing at Blue- 
point, they made their way along the beach, until havine 
Beariy reached the house of Mr. Rogers, they were aS 
cot off by a parur of Indians who lay in ambush. John 
Rogers, a son of Thomas, was of the number. Their 
bodies were found by the inhabitants and buried near the 
beach. Whether this melancholy event occurred at the 
same date as the burning of Rogers' house and the capi- 
tulation of Mr. Jocelyn at Black-point, does not appear 
with certainty. It is known, however, tliat the inhabi- 



■ 1 1 



*SiiIliTaii. 368. tFarmsr. 



160 HisToAT or 8Aei» 

tants at Winter Harbor fled with their eflecfs at this time, 
until they heard that the Indians were fipne to the east- 
ward, when they returned.* A treaty of peace was made 
by the Governor and Council late in the autumn with the 
principal sachems, who employed Mogg as their agent, by 
whom it was signed at Boston Nov. 6, 1676. 

Notwithstanding the treaty, it was suspected that the 
Indians intended to renew hostilities, and early in Febru- 
ary, an expedition under the command of Maj. Wal- 
dron sailed from Boston for the eastern coast. Thej 
touched at different places as far down as Peraaquid, 
where a conference was held with a company of the sava- 
ges, that terminated unfavorably. IVIajor Waldron caused 
a fort to be built on the Kennebec in which he stationed 
Capt. Sylvanus Dnvis with forty men. The forces re- 
turned to Boston, 1 1 March, without accomplishing much 
towards tranquilizing the country. Of the garrison left 
at Kennebec, nine were soon after cut off by surprise, 
and the remainder returned home in April. In the course 
of that month, several persons were killed at Wells and 
York, among them Benjamin Storer of the former place; 
the leader in the mischief was the noted Simon. In May, a 
party laid siege to the garrison of Black-point, which was 
obstinately defended for three days ; Lieut. Tappen, the 
commander, being a man of great courage, at length suc- 
ceeded in driving them off by fortunately shooting Mogg, 
the leader of the assault. They went away in canoes, 
and some of them going towards York, destroyed more 
lives in that quarter. In June, Capt. Benjamin Swett of 
Hampton, and Lieut. Richardson, were sent with a part^ 
of 200 friendly Indians and forty soldiers on an expe- 
dition to the Kennebec. The vessels anchored off 
Black-point, where the captain being informed some In- 
dians had been seen, went on shore with a detachraeat 
ef his men, and being joined by some of the inhabitants, 
making 90 in all, marcned in pursuit of the enemy. They 
were discovered in three divisions on a plain : but re- 
treated until they had drawn Swett's party two miles from 
the fort, and then turning suddenly, threw them into con* 



*H«bbar4. 




4HD BIBDBFORDf 161 

fusion by a bold attack. A furious battle ensued ; many 
of the soldiers being young and inexperienced in savage 
warfare, were killed while retreating towards the fort; 
and Capt. Swett, who fought with the utmost bravery, 
was at length slain. Sixty English fell in this action, in- 
cluding a number of the inhabitants. 

The fishermen were not spared ; during this season 
more than twenty boats were taken by the savages, as 
tbey lay apparently secure in the harbors. 'Thus,' says 
Hubbard, 'was another summer spent in calamities and 
miserable occurrents amongst the eastern parts.' At 
length in the month of August, some forces arrived at 
Pemaquid from New York, and took possession of that 
part of the country in the name of the Duke of York ; 
after this event, the Indians discontinued their outragesi 
and even restored a number of prisoners in the autumn. 
In the spring, Major Shapleigh and Capt. Champernoon 
of Kittery, and Mr. Fryer of Portsmouth, were appoin- 
ted coQunissioners to settle a treaty with Squando and 
the other chiefs. The terms were agreed upon at Casco, 
where the Indians brought their prisoners. It was stipu- 
lated in the treaty that die inhabitants should be allowed 
to return to their habitation on condition of paying one 
peck of corn annually for each family, by way of ac- 
knowledgement to the Indians for the possession of their 
lands. M^r Pendleton alone was required to pay one 
bushel.^ Thus ended the first war with the Indians. 



CHAPTER Xni. 



The inhabitants appear to have remained at Wintet 
Harbor through this war, except the temporary dispersion 
already noticed after the capitulation of Mr. Jocelyn at 
Black-point. Some, however, removed who did not af- 
terwards reside here. In this number was Maj. Phillips, 

*3«UuR. N. H. i. ISO. 



163 BistoKT or sACd 

of whom we propose to give a brief account. A Wil- 
liam Phillips was admitted freeman at Boston 1640. And 
in 1654, Lieut. Wm. Philh'ps, junior, was authorized by 
the Gen. Court "to collect the excise on wines, and to 
have deputies under him."^ Our townsman was styled 
Lieutenant on his first coming here, with the addition of 
tininer. The name of Phillips was then, as at the pre- 
sent day, borne by distinct families. The Rev. George, 
who settled at Watertown 1630, the ancestor of the late 
Lieut. Grovernor of Mass., was not related to our towns- 
man, so far as it can be ascertained. f Phillips removed 
to this place 1660, and soon after sold his house in Bos- 
ton to Maj. Thomas Savage. It stood at the North-end on 
Salem street, where he owned 18 acreis of real estate. ;( 
Beside speculating in wild lands, now the seats of cuhiva- 
ted towns, Maj. Phillips became extensively (for those 
times) engaged in lumbering. The year after his remo- 
val he purchased i of Capt. Spencer's sawmill, and the 
next year employed Capt. John Alden, his son in law, to 
build another, conveying to him i after it was completed. 
In 1667, we find him conveying half of Hhe island against 
the mill,' (now factory island) to Capt. John Bonython, 
for the consideration of 800 pine trees, suitable to make 
merchantable boards. The spring after, he engages to 
pay Mr. Richard Hutchinson of London, merchant, 151?. 
sterling, 'in good merchantable pine boards at the saw 
mills at Saco falls.' He also had a grist mill, situated 
near his sawmill. 

It is impossible to look over the records of the town 
during his residence here, without perceiving that much 
deference was shown by the inhabitants to Maj. Phillips 
in all their affairs. As the proprietor of the patent, he 
had great power in his hands. Most of the early settlers 
who had lands from Mr. Vines, found it necessary to ob- 
tain a confirmation of their titles from him. He seems 
to have enforced a rigid respect from the inferior plan- 
ters ; there is a tradition that a man was fined for saying, 



. *Mass. Colony Records. tMS. Genealogy. Sullivan, 221, states 
otherwise. That he appeared among the freemen of Saco 1653. i* 
aaother error of the historian, 221. ^Suffolk Recordi . 



AND BIDDEFORB.. 163 

• 

"Major PhiUips^s horse is as lean as an Indian dog,** He 
took the part of Gorges in the dispute with Mass., the 
Lord proprietor having confirmed to him bis Indian pur- 
chases.* 

His principal tract was bought of the Sagamore Fluel- 
len 1661, eight miles square. It now comprises nearly 
the towns of Sandford, Alfred, and Waterboro. One 
half of this tract, called the 19000 acres, he divided in 
1676 among the following persons, viz. Samuel, his oldest, 
and William, his youngest sons ; Mary Field, Martha 
Thurston, Rebecca Lord, Elizabeth Alden, and Sarah 
Turner, bis daughters ; Zachary Gillum, Robert Lord, 
of London, mariner, and Epbraim Turner, his sons in 
law ; Elephel Stratton, Peleg, John, and Elisha Sand- 
ford, his wife's children by a former marriage ; John 
JoUifie, John Woodman, Elisha Hutchinson, Theodore 
Atkinson, and William Hudson, all of Boston ; to each 
1000 acres. This moiety of the Fluellen tract was de- 
signed by Maj. Phillips to be settled as a township by his 
children, but owing to the wars, it was not taken up un- 
til the following century, when the grantees were proba- 
bly all deceased. It was incorporated under the name of 
Phillipstown ; this name was afterwards (1768) chan- 
ged to the present of Sandford. Phillips provided for 
bis son Nathaniel, merchant, of Boston, by giving him a 
deed of a tract thus described : abutting southwesterly 
on Saco river, between the upland of Capt. Pendleton 
and the island of Christopher Hobbs, being an extent of 
1| miles, and running back 4 miles to the patent line, to- 
gether with a neck of land, called Parker's neck, situa- 
ted at tlie mouth of the Pool. 

Maj. Phillips married a lady whose first husband was 
John Sandford, who removed from Boston to Rhode 
Island 1 637, and was afterwards secretary of that colo- 
ny. Peleg Sanford, a son of Mrs. Phillips, was govern- 
or of Rhode Island 1680-1-2, three years. Elisha 
Hutchinson, her son in law, was an Assistant, and under 



*GreenleaP, (Moses,) Statistical Views, &c. p. 394, confounds Ma- 
jor Phillips with Walter Phillips, who about the same period purcbaa- 
ed lands firom the natives east of the Kenaebec. 




164 mSTOBT OF 8AC6 

the charter of 1 692, a counsellor of Mass. Bay. The 
celebrated historian and governor of that Province was 
bis grandsoti.* J. JoUiffe and J. Woodman, also connec- 
ted with this family, were men of some note in Massa- 
chusetts. Beside the Fluellen tract, Maj. Phillips pur- 
chased from another sagamore of Saco river, called 
Hobinowill, the lands lying above Salmon falls as far as 
Capt. Sunday's rocks ; including the upper part of the 
present town of Hollis and a portion of Limington. The 
former town was incorporated nearly a century after the 
purchase as Phillipsburg. Sunday's rocks from their 
shining appearance were supposed to be impregnated 
with silver. Phillips obtained a deed of them from 
Capt. Sunday, an Indian, of Newichawannock, in 1664. 
They were described as 'Three hills of rocks,' and are 
supposed to be in Limington. They contain large por^ 
tions of mica or isinglass, a substance of no value. We 
find Phillips selling out parts of this 'silver mine,' to 
several gentlemen of Boston : Capt. Thos. Clarke, Edw. 
Tying, Edw. Downe, and others. He likewise convey- 
ed a 1-16 part to his son Nathaniel. 

Before the year 1670, Maj. Phillips sold several lai^e 
tracts of land, lying partly within the patent. The first, 
having Swan-pond creek for its southern boundary, ex- 
tended one mile on the river, and contained 1000 acres ; 
to Richard Hutchinson. The second comprised 1 500 
acres, adjoining the former ; to Edw. Tyng. The third, 
2000 acres, bounded on the south by Tyng's, to Richard 
Russell, of Charlestown. The fourth, three square 
miles joining Russell's, to Maj. Gen. John Leverett. He 
also conveyed to his sons in law. Turner and Gyllum, 500 
acres bounded on the south by West's brook. 

Major Phillips describes himself in a deed executed 
June 1776, *now of Boston, late of Saco.' He proba- 
bly removed soon after the burning of his house and mills 
by the savages the year previous. He died in Boston 
1683. By his last will, he bequeathed his lands and saw- 
mill at Saco in equal proportions to his wife, and sons 
Samuel and William, reserving |, which had been sold to 



Tanner*9 Genealogical Register. 

i 






kSU BIDDEFORD. 165 

W. Taylor for Mr. Harmon of Fayal, and a lot near the 
Falls, sold to Wm. Frost. One half of Bony thon's island, 
and Cow island, were included in the bequest. Samuel 
£old his part of the estate to Capt. George Turfrey 1691. 
William, at the date of the will, had been detained four 
years ^'in captivity among tiie Spaniards" ; his children 
inherited his share of the property at a subsequent pe- 
riod. 

Brian Pendleton, another conspicuous inhabitant, came 
to New England with the early colonists of Mass. Bay, 
and settled at Watertown. He was admitted freeman 
1634, and was sent a deputy to the General Court from 
Watertown in the years 1636-7-8-9, and 1647-8. He 
resided two years at Sudbury in the same vicinity, and 
was among the selectmen of that place.* In 1646, he 
was a member of the company of Artillery now so justly 
styled the 'Ancient and Honorable,^ and held the com- 
mission of captain at the same time. A few years after, 
about 1650, Capt. Pendleton removed to Portsmouth, 
N. H., from which town he went deputy to the Gen. 
Court several terms, the last in 1663. While resident 
at Portsmouth, he was engaged in commerce, and ac- 

Suired a handsome estate. Rev. Seth Fletcher married 
lary, his only daughter, before 1655. The selectmen of 
Portsmouth 1657, were Brian Pendleton, John Cutt, 
Richard Cutt, William Seavy, and Henry Sherburne ; 
who were empowered by the town to build a new mee- 
ting house. The Rev. Joshua Moody, an eminent divine, 
settled there three years after, whose friendship Pendleton 
enjoyed. In 1661, the selectmen ''granted liberty to 
Capt. Pendleton to set up his windmill upon the Fort 
point, towards the beach [Great Island], because the mill 
is of such common and public use."f 

The earliest purchase of Pendleton at Winter Harbor 
was in 1658, when Mr. Jordan sold to him and Capt. 
Roger Spencer of Cbarlestown, the valuable tract of land 
below the mouth of the river now well known as Fletcher's 
Neck, containing about 200 acres, a part of the patent of 



*Farmer, quoting Shattuck. MS. Hist. Concord, Mass. tAdami. 
Anaalfl. Ports. 

15 




1C6 BISTORT or SACO 

Mr. ViDes. Execution was levied on this property under 
the jurisdiction of Lygonia, in satisfaction of a debt due 
from Mr. Vines to Mr. Jordan, as was subsequently de- 
posed by J. Smith, the marshal. Two years after the 
.purchase, Spencer conveyed his f)art io Pendleton, *Ho- 
^ether with aH the houses, gardens, orchards, be* upon 
the Neck ;" the former then residing there. In 166&, 
Capt. Pendleton removed to this place, and took up his 
abode on the Neck, which was for maiqr years called 
'Pendleton's Neck.^ We have already noticed the va- 
rious civil and military appointments he received while 
an inhabitant of the Province. He was uniformly on the 
side of Mass. in the disputes with that Colony, to which 
he had early taken the oath of allegiance. They appohi- 
ted him major, or commander^ ef the forces in the Pro- 
vince 1668 ; how long he sustained the conimissioo does 
not appear ; but in the war that followed a few years af- 
ter, he seems not to have acted in that capacity. The 
following record, in the handwriting of Major Pendleton, 
furnishes the last notice of him contained in the town- 
book^ ''Aug. 14, 167^. A town meeting to choose a 
commissioner to <;arry a list of the estate of the town in 
reference to a rate ninefold. B. Pendleton is chosen 
commissioner if trouble do not prevent." This was three 
days only after the attack on Casco, in which a large 
number of the inhabitants were killed and taken prisoners. 
The next year he was at Portsmouth, as appears from 
an instrument executed in August. His only son, James 
Pendleton, was at that time among the principal inhabi- 
tants of that town, but soon after removed to Stonington, 
Conn., where his descendants are now found. 

On the termination of the war, and the revival of the 
provincial government under President Danforth, MaJ. 
Pendleton was again invested with authority in the Pro- 
vince, as we have already seen. He signed a petition to 
the King as deputy-president in 1680, (praying for aid ia 
'rebuilding the waste and desolate towns,')'* and died not 
long afterwards. His will was proved in April, 1681. He 
bequeathed his estate to his wife, son and grandchildren ^ 



''MaM. Kacords. 



A 



icND BIDDEFOSB. 16T 

hfs daughter probably died some years before. As early 
as 1671, be adopted her only child, Pendleton Fletcher, 
and granted to him the property at Winter harbor, de-» 
scribed as follows : ''All the Neck of land on which he 
(Brian Pendleton) now lives, extending as far as the Mill 
[Booth's] together with Wood and Gibhins' islands, 19^. 
acres of meadow land on the western side of Little river,, 
with 100 acres of upland belonging to it, the meadow 
eompassing about Scadlock's island, together with 2| 
acres on the other side of the river, and his dwelling- 
house &c. on it, provided that if he (his grandson and 
now adopted son) die before of age, or after without heir, 
k go to his son James and his children ; reserving the 
whole to himself and wife while they live." He then- 
appoints ''his beloved friends,. Joshua Moody and Rich* 
ard Martine feofiees in trust for the estate, and guardians- 
to the child during his minority, after his own death, if 
he die before the child come to ase." The residue of 
his landed estates was disposed of by will in the follow- 
ing manner : To his wife bis housing and land at Cape 
Porpoise ; to his son, 600 acres on Saco river, compri- 
sing 100 purchased from John West 1659, 300 purcha- 
sed from Phillips 1673, and 200 received from the latter 
in exchange for Cow island ; to his grandchild, James 
jr. 110 acres at Cape Porpoise ; to bis two grandchil- 
dren, Mary and Hannah Pendleton, his housing and land 
at Wells ; and, by a codicil, to his grandson Brian Pen- 
dleton a portion of his property at Portsmouth. 

Pendleton Fletcher took possession of the estate be- 
queathed to him by his grandfather about 1680. In the 
subsequent war with the Indians, be was taken prisoner 
together with his two sons, and died in captivity. His 
widow, Mrs. Sarah Fletcher, administered on his estate 
1700, two years after his capture. The Neck was at 
that time appraised at £300. Mrs. Fletcher married a 
second husband, of the name of Brown, and died 1726, 
at the age of sixty five. One of the sons, Pendleton, 
was rescued from the hands of the enemv, and became a 
leading townsman, as will hereafter appear. Mr. Fletch- 
er left also two daughters who were married to Maihew 
RpbinspD. of, Wial:^ Uarbi^r, and Samuel Hatch of Wells. 



168 BISTORT or SAOO 

The burial of "Mr. Wm. Fletcher, January 30, 1667- 
8," is recorded in the town book. It is not unlikely that 
he was the father of the minister. We deem it proper 
to add to the account of this family, that the few descea- 
dants now living, have a tradition that their ancestor who 
married the daughter of Maj. Pendleton, was a commoa 
laborer in his service, although they agree that his name 
was Seth. This circumstance shows the uncertain reli- 
ance to be placed on oral traditions ; for the evidence of 
records very clearly proves the truth of what we have 
stated on this subject. 

Benjamin Blackman, an extensive proprietor on the 
eastern side of the river, next requires our notice. He 
was a son of Rev. Adam Blackman, who came to New 
England 1639, and united in the settlement of Stratford, 
Conn. This gentleman had been a clergyman of some 
note in England, but seceding from the established church, 
fled to this country, in the words of Cotton Mather, "firom 
the storm that began to look black upon him." He died 
at Stratford 1669.* Benjamin graduated at Harvard 
College 1663. He studied divinity, and after passing a 
few years at Stratford, preached some time at Maiden, 
Mass. which place he left 1678.f He married Rebecca, 
daughter of Joshua Scottow, Esq. of Boston, 1 April, 
1676. Mr. Scottow purchased Cammock's patent at 
Black-point from H. Jocelyn, Esq. 1666, and six years 
before, the farm of Abraham Jocelyn, who lived manj 
years on the hill in Scarboro' now called Scottoway. la 
1680, Mr. Blackman received from his father in law a 
deed of a tract of land near the ferry place at Black- 
point, to which he removed. The next year, a commit- 
tee was chosen by the town of Scarboro' to agree witli 
him to be their minister for the year ensuing, and in 1682, 
he was invited to settle in that capacity. There is no 
doubt therefore that he preached there, though be de- 
clined a settlement*! 



*MS. Letter from D. Brooks, Esq. of Stratford. fFarmer's Geneal. 
Register. 

tScarboro* Records. In 1684 Mr. Barridge of that town was ap^ 
pointed "to go and see for a minister.'* Mr. Greenleaf, Eccl. Sketches, 
p. 44. mistakes the record, and makes that worthy townsman a minis* 
tor of Scarboro'. 



MOT BiDDsroBo;^ X6& 

In r6d3, Mr. Blackman was an inhabitant of Saco, 
and chosen to represent the town in the General Assem- 
bly of the Province under the administration of Dan- 
forth* His first purchase in this town was 1680, and al- 
though but 100' acres in extent, embraced all the mill 
privileges on the eastern side of the river. He erected' 
a sawmill at that time, as he petitioned the Gren. Assem- 
bly Aug. 1681, for liberty to cut timber upon the conv- 
mons for accommodation of his saw-mill, lying on the 
east side of Saco river'. The Pepperell mill now stands 
on the same privilege, east of the island, where the falls 
are still known to the old inhabitants by the name of 
Ji^ackman's falls. Three years after he purchased a tract 
on the river containing about six% hundred and forty acres 
from J. Bonython. The next year he made a second 
purchase from Gibbins, including the 100 acres ; extending 
&i miles above the falls. In Bonython's deed, Blackman 
is described to be the 'agent of some men of Andover,' 
and Gibbins sets forth that ''there has' been a motion of 
several men at the westward to remove themselves to 
Saco river, and settle upon the eastern side" : but al- 
ibough the purchases were completed, it does not appear 
tiiat the intended movement was made. The renewal of 
the troubles with the Indians doubtless prevented. Mr. 
Blackman seems then to have returned to Boston or its 
vicinity • The last notice of him in our records is as one 
of a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. Milbume, to so- 
licit his continuance another year, in 1686. 

His father in law, Mr. Stottow, resided on his estate at 
Black-point during the same period:. A^ proposal made 
by him to the town of Scarborough in 1681, deserves to 
be noticed. He offered them 100 acres of land 'upon the 
plains,' on which they were to build a fortification and 
aetde in a compact form ; allowing two acres for each 
family, and liberty to cut wood from another 100 acres. 
The bouses were to be set in a range, and not to approach 
nearer than eight rods to the fortification ; the bouselots 
not to exceed i an acre, and the rest of the land to be laid 
out in four common fields and pastures^ The condition 
of the grant was an annual rent of 12d. to Mr. Scottow 
^ being their demesne lord." The inbalntants at their 

15i* 




SSSSw— ■— 'g^wwawsgwrw rr ■ ri w3i 



170 HISTOBT OF SACO 

• 

meeting in March, 1682, voted unanimously to accept 
this proposal, and to go forthwith about building the forti- 
fication. In 1685, a townmeeting is recorded to hare 
been holden 'at the fortification on the plains' ; but the 
next year, the agreenjent with Scottow was rendered null 
and void by a vote of the town.* Mr. Scottow had a sod 
Thomas, who was chosen commissioner 1688. He com- 
manded the fortification the following year. The father 
died 1698 at Boston ; his executors were his sons in law, 
Maj. Thomas Savage and Capt. Samuel Checkly.f The 
whole property at Black-point, including Cammoek's pa- 
tent, and the farm of Abraham Jocelyn, containing 200 
acres, was sold by Checkly to Timothy Prout, Esq. ib 
1728. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



The limits of the town are supposed to have been orf- 
ginally of equal extent with those of the patents ; but as 
the bounds of the latter were not accurately determined 
until after the town lines were established by the Mass. au- 
thorities, a considerable portion of both grants, especially 
that of Lewis and Bonython, lies in the adjoining towns. 
The following return is the earliest we find relating to this 
subject : "We whose names are here underwritten, being 
appointed by the General Court of Massachusetts, are 
empowered to lay out the dividing bounds between the 
towns Cape Porpus, Saco, Scarborough, and Faimoutfai 
and upon due consideration thereof do determine as fol- 
loweth. That the dividing bounds between Cape Por- 
pus and Saco shall be the river called Little river, next 
unto William Scadlock's now dwellinghouse unto the first 
falls of said river ; from thence upon a due northwest 
line into the country until eight miles be expired. The 



♦Scarboro* Records. t2 Mass. Hist. Coll. iv. 100 The nanit 
•ometimes written. Scottoway. Church's Wars, 103. 8d editioii. 



/■ 



JkNB BIDDEFORD. 171 

lividing bounds between Saco and Scarborough shall be 
that river commonly called the Little river next unto 
Scarborough, and from the mouth of said river shall run 
upon a due northwest line into the country unto the ex- 
tent of eight miles. (Signed.) Nicholas Shapleigh, Ed- 
ward Rishworth, Abraham Preble. Octo. 18, 1669." 
These boundaries have been adhered to from that period 
to the present. 

The mouth of Little river next to Scarboro' having 
shifted its position from time to time, the bounds on that side 
have accordingly fluctuated ; and it is now quite un- 
certain where the line as originally run, met the sea. 
There is some reason to suppose that this small stream, 
or creek, formerly discharged at least one hundred rods 
eastward of the present line. Had the extent of the 
eastern patent been known, it is probable the commission- 
ers would have made that of the town to correspond. 
The patent line was run 1681 ; it is now from 200 to 
220 rods distant from the town line. ]Vlore than 3000 
acres of the township granted to Mr. Lewis and Capt. 
Bonython, thus lie in Scarborough ; all of which mani- 
festly belongs to Saco. Great inconvenience arises to 
the inhabitants of both towns who own lands within the 
patent, on its eastern side, as they almost invariably fall 
in part within the limits of the two towns ; the line of 
the patent having been necessarily adopted as the boun- 
dary of these estates. 

Some of the heirs of Lewis and Bonython petitioned 
ihe Gen. Court for a division of the patent in 1 674. A 
committee was then appointed to inquire into their claims, 
who reported as follows : "1. We find a patent appertain- 
ing unto Richard Foxwell and Richard Cummings. 2. 
From thence we find that they challenge a patent right 
four miles by sea side eight into the country, whereof 
they claim 1-4 by deed made them by Capt. R. Bony- 
thon, whose daughters they married, in consideration of 
Aeir fortunes of 100 marks each, which by him, the 
father, was received of theirs when they were in England. 
That Capt. Richard Bonython did settle upon the north 
nde of Sacadehock, Saco river, as did Thomas Lewis, 
who bad possession given them by Edward Hilton, who 



rw^-ii "^P^r ^ ^^^^^^ 



Hi HisTomr or sam 

by order was commissioned thereunto. We do not find 
any orderly bounding oi^ laying out of said patent." The 
committee consisted of Rich. Waldron of Dover, Spea- 
ker of the House ; J. Wincoll, and E. Rishworth.* A 
division was afterwards ordered, and made with the con- 
sent of the parties, of which the following is a copy. 

"We, John Wincoll, John Penwill, and Abraham Pre- 
ble, being chosen by mutual consent of James Gibbins, 
John Bonython, Philip Foxwell, and John Harmon, heirs 
and proprietors of that patent land granted to Lewis and 
Bonython, as by their agreement obligatory bearing date 
Nov. 12, 1660, may appear, for equally dividing said land 
between them, we accordingly on Sept. 19, 1681, came 
and measured the lower part next Saco river 142 poles 
north west from the foot line unto a certain small water 
run, called Haley's Gut, being the ancient bound marked 
between the aforesaid Bonython or his father, and the 
said Gibbins, and from said Haley's Gut upon a north east 
by north line unto the middle line of said patent, together 
with that triangular piece of land lying next Saco river 
and below the north east and south west line of the pa- 
tent, which contains 400 acres of land next the sea, all 
which is to belong to said Gibbins for his first division. 

2. From Haley's Gut we measured 592 poles north 
west unto a little brook a little below Mr. Blackman's^ 
mill, and thence north east by north to the middle line 
aforesaid, which is two miles, and it belongs to John Bo-^ 
nython for his first division. 

3. We measured two miles and 50 poles north west' 
from Thomas Rogers' garden by the sea in the mid- 
dle line aforesaid, and from the end of that said two 
miles and fifty poles, two miles north east to the line of 
the patent next Blue-point, the aforesaid 50 poles above 
the two miles north west in lieu of the half of the afore- 
said triangle of land next Saco river mouth, which is to 
belong to Philip Foxwell and John Harmon for their first 
division. 

4. We measured from the north west end of the afore- 
said two miles and 50 poles, two miles wanting 50 poles^ 



'MaM.Reeordi. 



AND BISDErOHD. 173 

Borth west in the aforesaid middle line unto a maple tree, 
and from thence two miles north east to the outside line 
of the patent, to James Gibbins for his second division. 

5. The next division is to run from the aforesaid little 
brook below Mr. Blackman's mill in Saco river 3^ miles 
and 18 poles north west, and from thence two miles north 
east to the middle line of the patent, to belong to Gib- 
bins for his third division. 

6. From the north west end of the aforesaid 3^ miles 
and 18 poles, J. Bonython is to run two miles 48 poles 
next Saco river to the north west end of the patent, and 
thence two miles north east along the head line of the 
patent to the middle line, for his second division. 

7. The next division on the north east side of said pa- 
tent is to begin at the north west end of the aforesaid four 
miles in length already measured, and to be two miles 
square — for Foxwell and Harmon's second division. 

8. The last division of the north east side of the pa- 
tent is to begin at the north west end of the first two miles 
square, and to be also two miles square to the head of said 
patent, and to belong to Gibbins lor his fourth division. 
Acknowledged by the Proprietors, Sept. 23, 1681."* 

It hence appears that one half of the patent was set off 
to Gibbins, as the heir of Mr. Lewis ; the other moiety 
to the heirs of Capt. Bonython, viz. his son, who had a 
double portion, and the heirs of his two daughters. 

The purchases of Mr. Blackman were made not long 
after the division. Mr. Gibbins's deed runs as follows : 
"Whereas there have been some motions by several of 
the men at the westward to remove themselves to Saco 
river and settle upon the eastern side, and in order there- 
unto have by Benj. Blackman been encouraged by dis- 
bursing moneys in part payment of a purchase of land of 
James Gibbins, now therefore I, James Gibbins, of Saco, 
in the Province of Maine, yeoman, with assent and con- 
sent of my wife Judith, for and in consideration of a 
valuable sum to me in hand paid &z:c. have given &c. un- 
to Benj. Blackman, clerk, in the same town resident, a 
tract of land lying and being upon the said river of Saco, 



'^See the Plan of this Division. 




DK^E3BB 




174 HISTORY OF SACO 

beginning at a small run on the north of Mr. Bonytbon's^ 
old plantation, extending itself up the said river tbrea 
miles and an half and eighteen poles, and back from the 
river two miles, being the whole second division of the 
Patent land laid out to me, the said James," &;c. Dated 
12 Dec. ] 683. Signed, sealed, and delivered, in pre-^ 
sence of Hubertus Mattoon* and John Sharpe. It waa 
afterwards acknowledged before Joshua Scottow, Justice 
of the Peace. 

Bonython's deed of the same date commences— "To 
all Christian People, Greeting ; Whereas there have been 
some transactions between Messrs. J. Bonytbon of Saco, 
and B. Blackman resident in the said town, in behalf of 
some men of Andover, in order to their removal ; and 
being willing to encourage them, I did promise to their 
agent abovesaid a tract of land, now therefore know all 
Bien,"^ &^. He then conveys a tract thus described ; 
"One tract of land lying and being upon the east side of 
Saco river, bounded by a small brook northward, which 
parts my patent division from the division of J. Gibbins, 
westward with said river, southward with a small brook 
to the northward of Nicholsf his house." Witnessed by 
John Hill, (son of Roger,) William Martine. 

Mr. Blackman thus became the proprietor of about 
one fourth part of the Patent, including the present ska of 
the village (Saco,) and all the mill privileges on the eas- 
tern side of the river. Three years after he conveyed a 
1)ortion of it to S. Sheafe, by a deed which runs as foll- 
ows : "Know all men by these presents that I, B. Black- 
man of Stratford, now resident in Saco in the Province 
<^ Maine, &c. have granted &z:c. unlo Mr. Sampson 
Sheafe of Boston, merchant, one third part of a tract of 
land by me bought of J. Gibbins and J. Bonytbon, &c. 
being six thousand acres more or less, being bounded 
southeasterly with a brook commonly called Nichols' 
brook, northeastwardly with two miles from the great 
river, and northwestwardly with the extent of three miles 
and an half and eighteen poles above the savmill Falh^ and 
^1 I , ■ ■ ... .1 . . ■ ■ I 

*Thie person was made freeman at Kittery 1652; he had probablj 
removed to Saco. tBroiher in law to J^ Bonython. See above, p. 11& 




i.^^^mm^^^ 



AND BIDDErORB. 173 

"southwestwardly by the great river, as also the berbagBi 
•coinmoaage for timber, and all other things growing upon 
4000 acres of land or thereabouts, lying upon the norths 
east tide of the land above said^ as also one* third part of 
•a sawn>ill standing upon Saco river falls, built by said 
Blackinan upon the proper account of Mr. S. Sheafe 
aforesaid, merchant," be. Dated 9 March, 1665-6 ; 
witnessed by Mathew Middleton. 

About the same time, Blackman sold out another one 
third part to Samuel Walker of Boston, mariner, who to- 

f ether with Sheafe had a share in the mills erected by 
Hackman.* 
Mr. Sheafe soon after relinquished his purchase to Mr. 
Walker, who thus became possessed of two thirds of the 
:original tract. Sheafe's deed to Walker, dated 26 March, 
1687, recites the boundaries of the two tracts as descri- 
bed in the deeds from Gibbins and Bonython ; he also 
conveys to Walker '^one third part of a sawmill and one 
third part of a gristmill standing upon Saco river fallSy 
built by me the said Sampson Sheafe, Samuel Walker, 
'-and Benj. Blackman in equal thirds, &ic. together with one 
-third part of twelve oxen formerly purchased in thirds 
and bek)nging to the premises," Sec. Acknowledged be- 
jbre William Stoughton, one of his Majesty's Council, at 
Boston. 

The 6rst planters being seated near the seaboard, the 
readiest mode of commumcation with the different set- 
tlements was by water. For many years there was no 
road except along the shore, and in 1653, the Mass. com- 
missioners alleged this deficiency as a reason for not tra- 
velling from Wells to Saco, to receive the submission of 
the inhabitants. It was ordered by them 'Hhat the inhabi- 
tants of Wells, Saco and Cape Porpoise, shall make suf- 
ficient highways within their towns from house to house, 
and clear and fit for foot and cart, before the next county 

^*Samuel Walker attested the deed mentioned above, p. 158, of Anne 
Alffer to ber cousins John and Abraham Roberts, dated at Mar- 
blehead 1676 ; and afterwards married her. As Anne Walker, sb« 
-asserted a title to one half of the Aujpir right in Scarboro'. It is 
• liij^hly orobable, that the second husbiuid or Anne was the associate 
*€r3 Uck i n> p and Shoafe. 






*p»'i*^t^«i^i*« 



176 HISTORY OF SAOO 

court under the penalty of ten pounds for every town's 
defect in this particular, and that they lay out a sufficient 
highway for horse and foot between towns and towns 
within that time." In 1 658 the court, having adjourned 
from York to the house of Mr. Jordan at SpurwinK, pass- 
ed an order respecting the highway between Saco and 
Little [C. Porpoise] rivers. An effi>rt was made in 1673, 
to render the roads more direct ; the towns were order- 
ed "to mark out forthwith the most convenient way from 
Wells to Sayward's mills [C. Porpoise,] from thence to 
Saco Falls, from Saco Falls to Scarborough above Dun- 
ston [landing,] and from Scarborough unto Falmouthi 
every town marking out their own part within their own 
extent." Under this order, Page and Gibbins were ap- 

K tinted by the townsmen Uo lay out the upper way to 
unston', and Maj. Phillips Ho mark out the way to Hen- 
ry Sayward's mills.' 

Travellers crossed Saco river near its mouth, where a 
ferry was regularly kept, distinguished in later times as 
the lower ferry, when another was established near the 
Falls. The first ferryman was Henry Waddock, who 
was licensed in 1654, and probably earlier also, Ho keep 
an ordinary, to entertain strangers for their money,' and 
allowed 'to receive 2d. from every one he set over the 
river.' The last renewal of his license was 1672, the 
year before his death. Mr. Booth was also permitted to 
keep an ordinary, on the other side of the river. Thom- 
as Haley, on the same side, succeeded Waddock as fer- 
ryman. He was ordered by the court of 1673, "for the 
more secure transportation of travellers, for men and hor- 
ses, to provide a good sufficient boat fit for carrying per- 
sons and their horses, large enough to carry over three 
horses at one time." Humphry Scamman, who purcha- 
sed Waddock's estate a few years after his decease, took 
charge of the ferry and entertained travellers. Com- 
plaints were still brought against the town for the want of 
good roads. In 1687 we find the following order of the 
court : "Whereas the townsmen of Saco being summon- 
ed to answer for their not keeping a sufficient highway 
from Scamman's ferry to the town of Cape Porpoise, 
Roger Hill appearing in behalf of said town, it was ordered 



AND BIDDEFORD. 177 

that the old foot-path on tlie western side of Saco river 
be the King's highway, to be laid out and fenced at the 
charge of the town." It would seem that the new road, 
above the old one, marked out twelve or fifteen years be- 
fore, was out of repair, and that the inhabitants chose to 
return to the latter. This road was chiefly on the sea- 
shore, taking advantage of the beach and of level ground, 
free from trees and other obstructions. There was a ferry 
at that time near the mouth of Scarboro' river. The 
intervening streams of Goose-fair and Little river were 
easily forded ; hence the term wading places^ applied to 
the parts usually crossed. 

Carriages were of course unknown in those days ; few 
of the inhabitants even owned horses, if we may judge 
from the following record: ''July the 28, 1674. At a 
meeting of the selectmen as foUoweth : 1. Maj. Pendle- 
tons black horse is allowed on. 2. Lieut. James Gib- 
bins is horse is allowed on. 3. John Waddocks horse 
is allowed on. 4^ Richard Cummins horse is allowed on. 
5. John Harmons horse is allowed on." To this num- 
ber an addition was soon after made: "Aug. 17, 1674 
Humphry Case hath boate a mare and coult of James 
Were this seventene day of August, 74. H. Case, town 
darck." 

In 1675, a number of the inhabitants petitioned the 
General Court for the grant of a township above the pa- 
tents ; a tract six miles square was accordingly granted 
to the petitioners : Maj. Pendleton, John Leighton, Rich- 
ard Cumming, John Carter, and others. They without 
doubt intended to form a new settlement, which the war 
prevented. 

From 1676 to 1680, the records of the town were pro- 
bably not continued. They re-commence June 12, 1680, 
as follows : ''At a town meeting &c. John Abbot is ac- 
cepted into the town and to enjoy town privileges. Hum- 
phry Scamman is accepted into this town, and to enjoy all 
town liberties. J. Abbot is chosen dark of the town and 
to keep the town book." The next year, Abbot, Scam- 
man, and Richard Peard were chosen 'for townsmen^ ; 
John Leighton surveyor ; Pendleton Fletcher constable : 

16 



178 HJSTORT or SACd 

John Bonython 'surveyor for die north side of the river' j 
J. Abbot town clerk. 

*'Dec. 8, 1681. The townsmen made choice of Mis- 
ter Blackman, John Harmon, and J. Abbot, to lay nut 
land in our town." The following grants were made at 
that time : ''Granted to George Page to have ten acres of 
upland on the western side of the river. Granted to 
Thomas Haley as much land as to make his bouse kC 
fifty acres. Granted to Phineas Hull to have sixty acres 
of upland on the eastern side of the Little river falls 
where now his mill stands. [Phineas Hull lived at Kitte- 
ry 1671 ; probably a son of Rev. Joseph Hull, sometime 
a minister at Weymouth, Mass. and afterwards at the Isle 
of Shoals.] Granted to J. Abbot to have forty acres of 
upland adjoining to his lot of land that he bought of Ar- 
thur Wormstall on the south west side of his wood kit, 
with that scrap of marsh from wind mill hill to John Roeb 
ditch on the pines. Granted to Roger Hill twenty acres 
of land at the head of [that] lot. Granted to H. Scam- 
man ten acres of land. William Daget is granted ten 
acres of land at the head of his father WormstaU's lot. 
Granted to Mister Blackman to have 100 acresof uphnd 
where he can find it out of Tiny man's lot in the commons 
that is not yet disposed of in the town. Granted to M(^ 
ses Bennet ten acres of upland where be can find it in 
our township iK)t to intrude upon any man's land." 

"At a legal townmeeting held at Winter Harbor oo the 
19th day of June, in the vear 1683, the feeehtdders of 
the aforesaid town chose Mr. Benjamin Blackman De- 
puty for the year." "At a town meeting legally held by 
the freeholders of our town on the 10 of May, being 
Saturday, 1684, chosen, W. Daget constable for this year, 
chosen H. Scamman for the jury of trials, and J. Sargent, 
P. Hull, Francis Backus, J. Bowden, and P. Fletdier, 
Townsmen for this year. Mr. B. Blackman choseD oom- 
missioner to attend his Majesty's occasions at Falmouth, 
chosen at a legal meeting held at Saco." The selaol- 
men 1685, were Lieut. John Davis, R. Hill, P. Fletcher, 
J. Bonython, J. Sharpe. The next year William Dyer 
was chosen constable ; Geo. Page, Juryman ; B. Black- 



AND BIDDErOBB. 179 

man, R. Hill, F. Backus, J. Edgecomb, P. Fletcher, 
Selectmen. 

The following list of the rates paid by the inhabitants 
in without date, but appears to have been taken about 
1670. It is probably not entire. Pendleton 1{. 4$. Ad. ; 
Bonytbon 12. 3#. 10c/. ; J. Davis 2«. 4c/. ; William Lus« 
eom 3i. %d. ; Arthur Hewes 2s. ; J. Smith 6^. Ad. ; C. 
Hobbs 4f.; Michael Naziter 2^. ; J. Gibbins ]/. 3«. Ad.} 
N. Buly 5i. Id. ; N. Buly jr. 28. Ad. ; John Carter 2g. 
6d.} £dgecomb 8$. 2d. ; Waddock 15^. ; R. Hill 12^.; 
Bouden As. ; Robert Temple 6s. ; John Anderson 2s. } 
W. Mare 6s. ; John Sargent 1/. ; Hitchcock 14^. ; Worm- 
stall I3s»; HebonSf.; Williams 12«. ; Trustrum 14«. ; 
Edward Sargent Ss. 6d. ; Penuel bs. Ad. ; Leighton 2s. ; 
Guinniing 1/. St. 6d. ; T. Rogers lAs.; Harmon 16^. ; 
Haley Qs. 

It is impossible to collect, at this late period, the names 
of all the early inhabitants of the town. Those we have 
fiMind (urevious to 1690, not already noticed, will now 
be given, with the year in which they 6rst occur, and a 
bk'iof luaeount of the families, where it can be furnished. 

Thomas Mills, fisherman, received a grant of land fron^ 
Vinea 1642. He was on a jury of inquest 1661. 
- Jolm Leighton was fined by the court of 1645. His 
80D, John jr. married Martha, a daughter of Rob. Booth, 
1663* Their son James was born 1675. A branch of 
this fiimily early settled in the part of Kittery now Eliot, 
near the meetinghouse, where the descendants are living 
on the old estate. A John Leighton died there 1724, 
whose grandson, William, married a daughter of Rev. 
Jaha Rogers, minister of that parish, 1747. 
. Peter Hill, a planter, was a member of the Assembly 
of Lygonia 1648 ; he had probably settled here several 
yeara earlier, with bis son Roger, who was among the 
freemen in 1653. It does not appear that he had other 
children, as the numerous families of the name now liv- 
ing in our towns, with one or two exceptions, derive their 
dm^ent from Roger. He died in August, 1667. Roger 
Hill married Mary Cross, probably of Wells, 1658 ; their 
children, bom 1661-79, were Sara, Hannah, John, Sam- 
uel, Joseph, Mercy, Benjamin, and Ebenezer. The 




180 mSTORT OF SACO 

daughters and one son, Joseph, setded in Wells ; Sara 
was married to — — Rest (or Russ) ; Hannah and Mercy 
to Lieut. Joseph Storer, and David Littlefield. Mr. 
Storer was an active officer in the second war with the 
Indians. Joseph Hill, Esq. married Hannah Bowles of 
Wells, 1689. He was a gentleman of some note in the 
early part of the succeeding century, and lived to an ad- 
vanced age. Of the other sons, excepting Ebeoexer, 
we have little information ; some of them probably died 
young. Ebenezer, well known to tradition as E^acoo 
Hill, was a conspicuous inhabitant of the town for many 
years, as it will hereafter appear. Roger was still active 
in town affairs at the date of the latest records, 1686 ; 
we have not learned the time of his decease. 

Christopher Hobbs was admitted freeman 1653; had 
a son of the same name, and a daughter-, Jane, married 
to Michael Nostras. In 1718 John Hobbs of Boston, 
^grandson of C. Hobbs, sometime of Saco,' claimed a 
house and land, which Maj. Phillips sold to his ancestOTn 
C. Hobbs, senior, was living 1672. 

Nicholas Buly or Baly, freeman 1653, died 1664. 
His children were Nicholas, who married Ellen Booth 
1652 'y Anne, wife of Ambrose Beriy ; Grace, wife of 
John Bouden ; Ellen, wife of John Henderson ; Eliza* 
beth, wife of Thomas Doughty ; Abigail, wife of Peter 
Henderson ; and Tamozin, who died unmarried. Jonas 
Baly of Black-point, who came over in the service of 
Mr. Trelawney, left a small legacy to his brother Nicholas, 
by a will dated 1663. 

Ralph Tristram, freeman 1655, may have settled here 
several years previous. He was long a useful and worthy 
townsman, and died 1678. His children, bom 1644-64, 
were Samuel, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Ruhamafa, Rachel, 
Rutb, Freegrace, Hannah and David. The names of 
several of the sons occasionally occur in the old records, 
but neither of them, so far as we have learned, has de- 
scendants now living. Hannah married Dominicus, a son 
of Rev. Robert Jordan, about 1680, who settled on the 
estate at Spurwink, then a part of Falmouth. Their 
children were Dominicus, Samuel, Elizabeth, Hannah and 
Mary Ann. Sometime in the second Indian war, the 



AND Bn>DETOld>. 181 

garrison house of Mr. Jordan was violently assaulted by 
t large number of the enemy, when he made a brave and 
successful resistance. The Indians called to him, saying 
that 'they were ten hundred in number' ; to which he re- 
plied that ^he cared not if they were ten thousand,* A 
few years after several Indians came to Mr. Jordan's 
'house, and were received with the familiarity common in 
time of peace, one of whom watching a favorable oppor- 
tenity, struck a hatchet into his head, exclaiming as 
he inflicted the fatal blow — ^ There Dominicus! now 
'kill ten thousand Indian.* The family were all made 
prisoners, and carried to Canada. They were afterwards 
restored, excepting Mary Ann, (named by her French 

Protectors Arabella,^ who married a French gentleman at 
]*rois Rivieres, on tne St. Lawrence, where she was living 
1761 ; she was probably of a very tender age when this 
calamity befel the family. The other daughters were 
subsequently married ; Hannah to Joseph Calef of Bos- 
ton, and Elizabeth to Capt. Humphry Scamman of this 
town. The sons became men of considerable note. Do* 
nbinicus lived on the old estate at Spurwink, and was the 
representative of Falmouth in the Gen. Court several 
years. He died 1749, sixty six years of age. Samuel, 
the other son of Dominicus Jordan and Hannah Tristram, 
settled in this town about 1717 ; and from him are de- 
scended the numerous families of Jordans now living in 
Saco and Biddeford. 

Philip Hinkson 1653; died a few years afler. His 
widow married George Taylor of Black-point. 

Walter Pennell 1663 ; married a daughter of Robert 
Booth. Their children, born 1 649-69, were Walter, the 
oldest, who was living in York 1719, at the age of seventy 
years ; Mary, the wife of Giles Ribbins ; Deborah, Sara, 
lind Susanna. 

John Davis received a grant for a sawmill 1653 ; be was 
probably ^ smith, as his forge is mentioned. His house 
was near the Falb, and is rtferred to in a division of the 
Island 1667. Davis's brook took its name from him. He 
"Was probably the *disaccepted' deputy 1682. 

John Halicom 1653 ; the next year administration waa 
Igranted on bis estate. 

16* 




182 BISTORT OF 8AC0 

Roger Hunnuel died 1653-4. He lived oa Parker^s 
neck near the entrance to the Pool. Richard Huniwell 
of Black-point 1681, was perhaps his son. Administrar 
tion on his estate was granted 1654; and at the same 
time on the estates of Paul Mitchel and John Rowlaody 
who appear to have been inhabitants of this town. 

Edward Andrews, freeman 1653, may have been a son 
of Samuel Andrews, one of the first colonists. Edward 
died 1668. Thomas Reding, freeman 1653, does not 
appear after that date. 

Roger Spencer of Charlestown, to whom the freemen 
granted a privilege for a sawmill 1653, seems not to have 
become a resident in town until five years after that date, 
when he joined with Maj. Pendleton in the purchase of 
the Neck. The conditions of his crant required him to 
erect a mill before the expiration of one year, with which 
he probably complied ; and there is every reason to sup- 
pose that his mill was the first one built on Saco river. 
In 1658, Capt. Spencer (as he is styled in the town- 
book) removed with his family to the Neck, where im- 
provements had been previously made. The same ye«r 
AC mortgaged one half of bis mill to Rob. Jordan, and the 
next year i to Thomas Spencer of Boston ; the latter 
eventually became the property of Maj. Phillips. 

In 1669, Capt. Spencer, then living in Boston, convey- 
ed the remaining ^ of his mill to Capt. Thomas Savage 
of Boston. The marriage of Lydia Spencer, unques- 
tionably a daughter of Roger, to Freegrace Norton 
about 1660, is recorded in the townbook. Mr. Nor- 
ton was on a jury of inquest the following year, and, it is 
conjectured, afterwards resided in Ipswich, where a per- 
son of the same name dwelt a few years later. Another 
daughter of Capt. Spencer married, first, John Hull, a 

J'oung merchant of Boston, and, after his decease, Wil^ 
iam Phips, the first governor of Mass. Bay under the 
charter of 1692. Sir William was born in humble cir- 
cumstances, in the part of ancient Pemaquid now AIna, 
1650 : when eighteen years of age he apprenticed him- 
self to a shipcarpenter, and four years alter went to Bosj- 
ton, ''where," says Dr. Mather, his biographer, ^'he fol- 
lowed bis trade about u year, and by a laudable deport- 



AKD BU>DEFOBD. 183 

jnent so recommended himself, that he married a yonng 

Sntlewoman of good repute, who was the widow of one 
r. John Hull, a well-bred merchant, but the daughter of 
4>ne Capt. Roger Spencer, a person of good fashion, who 
having suffered much damage in his estate by some un» 
kind and unjust actions, which he bore with such pa- 
tience that, lor fear of injuring the public, he would not 
seek satisfaction, posterity might afterward see the re- 
ward of his patience in what providence hath now done 
for one of his own posterity." A third daughter of Capt. 
Spencer married Dr. David Bennet of Rowley ; whose 
son, Spencer Bennet, was adopted by his uncle Sir Wil- 
liam, and took the name of Phips. He was Lieut. Gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts from 1732 until his decease in 
1767. 

James Harman makes an acknowledgement of having 
slandered John Sneliing 1655. Harman married Sarah 
Clarke 1659. Their children were named Jane and 
Barberry. Wjb find no other notice of Sneliing. The 
marriages of William Kirkeet, sometimes written Cuf- 
keet, and William Batting are recorded the same year. 
The former died 1662 ; his personal property was ap- 
praised at i&134 13«. He owned seventeen head of cat- 
tle, youne and old, which were appraised at £60. The 
birth of John (1642,) son of Morgan Lacy, was recorded 
about this time. 

. John Sparke's lot is mentioned 1656. A small part 
only of the records of grants seems to have been preser- 
ved ; Sparke and many oti'ers, whose names are not 
found until a much later date, without doubt received 
grants of lands 1653. He was buried Octo. 24, 1669. 

The house of Walter Maver, Mare, or Mar, (as the 
name is variously written,) is spoken of in a town grant 
of 1656. The births of bis children, from 1654 to '74, 
are carefully registered. Their names were Judith, 
Mary, Walter, Sara, Rebecca, Ruth, Elizabeth, Benja- 
min, and Love. Walter was one of the selectmen 1683. 

John Bouden married Grace Buly 1656. Their chil- 
dren were Hannah, Lucy, John and Nicholas : the last 
born 1673. John Bouden was one of the selectmen 
1684. Ambrose Bowdeui senior, lived at Black-point 



184 B18T0RT or SAGO 

1658, and his son Ambrose 1681. John was perhaps 
another son of Ambrose. 

Alexander Smith and William Luscora received grants 
of land from the town 1653. Sydrack, a son of the lat« 
ter, was drowned 1660. 

John Helson married Joane Waddock 1658. Ephra* 
imHelson was born 1667. John Helson or EIsod< was 
living at Black-point 1681. The former year (1658) 
John Cole married Mary Chilson. John died 1661. 
Ely fall (Eliphel) Cole was buried at the same date, per- 
haps a daughter of John. The names of Mordecai Cran- 
itt, John Hallsome (perhaps Helson) and Jeremiah Hum- 
phries, already mentioned as on a jury of inquest this year, 
do not afterwards occur. 

John Sargent was a fisherman at Winter Harbor 1660. 
His children were Edward, bom 1661 ; Benjamin 1673 ; 
Patience 1675. John and his son Edward were requir- 
ed to answer a complaint for selling liquor to the Indians 
1686 ; forfeiting their recognizances, they were compelled 
to pay 202. each. Edward Sargent of Newbury sold a 
piece of land at Winter Harbor to E. Hill 1727. 

Capt. John Alden of Boston, married Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Maj. Phillips, and, if not an inhabitant of tlie town, 
was part owner of a sawmill, which he built, as already 
stated, and passed much time here during the residence 
of his father in law. It is not improbable that his family 
was also here. He was on a jury of inquest whose ver- 
dict is recorded in the town book, September, 1660. Th6 
Fluellen deed was attested by him and Harlakenden Sy- 
monds, (son of the deputy-governor,) 1661, to which a 
note is appended stating the intended extent of the pur^ 
chase, and referring to the deed of another Sagainorei 
^^written by me, John Alden,^* Capt. Alden was the son 
of John Alden of Plymouth, who came over with the bantl 
of pilgrims, when but twenty-two years of age, and, it is 
-said, was the first person that leaped upon the shore. 
His mother was Priscilla, a daughter of Mr. William Mus- 
lins, another pilgrim. The following pleasant story re- 
specting the parents of Capt. Alden, is related by a de- 
scendant in a late publication. 

^^It is well known, that, of the first company consisting 



AND BIBDKrOBD. 185 

• 

of one buodred and one, about one balf died in six montbs 
after landing, in consequence of tbe hardships ihey were 
sailed to encounter. Mrs. Rose Standish, consort of cap- 
tain Standisb, departed this life on the 29 of January, 
1621. This circumstance is mentioned as an introduc- 
tion to the following anecdote, which has been carefully 
banded down by tradition. In a very short time after the 
decease of Mrs. Standish, the captain was led to think, 
that if he could obtain Miss Priscilla MuUins, a daughter 
of Mr. William Mullins, the breach in his family would be 
happily repaired. ' He, therefore, according to the custom 
of those times, sent to ask Mr. MuUins' permission to visit 
his daughter. John Alden, the messenger, went and faith- 
fully communicated the wishes of the captain. The old 
gentleman did not object, as he might have done, on ac- 
count of the recency of captain Standisb's bereavement. 
He said it was perfectly agreeable to him, but the young 
lady must also be consulted. The damsel was then cal- 
led into the room, and John Alden, who is said to have 
been a man of most excellent form with a fair and ruddy 
complexion, arose, and, in a very courteous and prepos- 
sessing manner, delivered bis errand. Miss Mullins lis- 
tened with respectful attention, and at last, after a consid- 
erable pause, fixing her eyes upon him, with an open and 
pleasant countenance, said, prWAee, JoAn, why do you not 
i^eak for yourself ? He blushed, and bowed, and took 
hiB leave, but with a look which indicated more than bis 
diffidence would permit him otherwise to express. How- 
ever, he soon renewed his visit, and it was not long before 
their nuptials were celebrated in ample form. From then) 
are descended all of the name, Alden, in the United States. 
What report be made to his constituent, after the first in- 
terview, tradition does not unfold ; but it is said, how 
true the writer knows not, that the captain never forgave 
him to the day of bis death."* 

Capt. Alden had tbe misfortune to suffer the imputa- 
tion of untchcraft from one of the victims of that delusion 



•Rev. T. Alden, (president of Alleghany Coll.) Collect. Am. Epi- 
taphs, iii. 265. The marriage of the wortny pilgrim's oldest son with 
a daughter of Mai. Phillips, seems to have escaped the inquiries of 
Dr. Alden tnd other Plymouth antiqoaiiei. 



r 



186 HISTORY OF SAC6 

in Bostoiii 1692, when persons of the most irreproacha- 
ble character were not safe from the consequences of an 
accusation, which, it is well known, in inany instances 
proved fatal.* His case is thus described by Hutchinson : 

"Capt. John Alden, of Boston, was accused, who was 
thereupon sent down to Salem. He had been many years 
commander of a sloop in the colony service, employed for 
supplying the forts east with provisions and stores $ and 
although, upon his first appearing, the justices allowed 
that he always had the character of an honest man, yet 
one of them, Gidney, soon after, let him know he then 
saw reason to think otherwise of him. Alden, in his ac- 
count, says, that the accuser first pointed to another man 
and said nothing, but that the man who held her stooped 
down to her ear, and then she cried out, Alden, Alden. 
All were ordered into the streets, and a ring made, and 
then she cried out. There stands Alden, a bold fellow, 
with his hat on, sells powder and shot to the Indians, ^» 
He was immediately taken into custody of the maralial 
and required to deliver up his sword. A further exami- 
nation was had in the meeting-house, and bis hands were 
held open by the officer, that he might not pinch the af- 
flicted, who were struck down at the sight of him, and. 
made their usual cries ; all of which the justices deemed 
sufficient grounds for committing him to gaol, where he* 
lay fifteen weeks, and then he was prevailed on by bis. 
friends to make his escape, and to absent himself until 
the consternation' should abate, and the people recover 
the use of their reason." 

Capt. Alden died at Boston 1702 ; his children were— 
John, William, Nathaniel, 2^hariah, Anna, and Eliza- 
beth. SSechariah graduated at Harvard Coll. 1692. 

Richard Randall, son of Richard, was bom 1659 ; and 
Sara, daughter of Richard, 1661. Arthur Wormstall, 
freeman at Wells 1653, was living in Saco 1660. His 

*The name of Rev. George Burroughs who was exeoated at 8a1«p 
Aug. 19, 1602, will occar to the minds of our readert. '*H« met his 
untimely end," says Rev. Mr. Folt, <* with christian fortitude. Thoof h 
his accusers charged him with deeds of murder, as was common ftr 
them to do in reference to others, yet ho appears to have been a wov- 
thy man.'* Annals of Salem. 30f. 



ANP BIDDKFOBB. 187 

ebildren were Susan, born 1658; Arthur 1661 ; John 
1669. Arthur was one of the selectmen 1680. Mr. 
John Gray and Robert Field (probably a son in law of 
Maj. Phillips,) were on a jury of inquest 1660. John 
Wakefield attested the deed of Waher Hegone to Phil- 
lips 1660. He died 1673 ; leaving four sons, John, 
James, Henry, and William, and three daughters, one the 
wife of William Frost. The latter, to whom Maj. Phil- 
lips sold a piece of land near the falls, had two sons at 
^e time of Wakefield's death, William and Nathaniel. 
Christopher Collins of Saco, purchased N. Edgecomb's 
bouse end land at Blue-point 1660. The name Collins 
occurs in the town book 1672. 

The next year (1661) we find on a jury of inquest 
Itfr. WiDiara Tharall ; Gregory Jeffery, who was admit- 
ted freeman at Cape Porpoise 1653; Richard More, 
freeman at Wells 1653 ; John Rice, whose house was 

hired for Rer. S. Fletcher by the town ; Bumitt, 

Mid Ward. Edward Clark, freeman at Wells 

1653, was buried this year. Walsingham Chilson recei- 
ved a grant of town land. William Chilson was married 
to Grace Briar, (perhaps Briant,) several years later. 
Mercy Chelson was buried Aug. 1674. 

Dmd HamUeton married Anna Jackson 1662. Ar- 
thur Hewes married Dunie Stevens 1663. Thomas San- 
tera married Hope Reynolds 1664 ; probably a daughter 
of William Reynolds, at Cape Porpoise 1653. Arthur 
BatfiDg married Abigail Sjpurwell 1664; Christopher 
■9poFweli was made freeman at Cape Porpoise 1653. 
John' Henderson was bom 1664. Peter Henderson re- 
ceived a grant of land 1671, next to John, sen. runnmg 
fit>m 'the spring southwest into the woods.' John Dun- 

joark, son of Patrick, and Carter, son of John, 

were b^n 1667. Michael and John, sons of Michael 
Nasiter, were bom 1664-6. Richard Peard married 
Jane Naater 166f9. Peter, son of John Anderson, was 
born ] 667. Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Doughty, 
was bora 1670. Margery and Margaret, daughters of 
Hnrpphry Case, were born 1671-3. William Warren re- 
ceived a mnt of land ). 671, ne:st to Peter Henderson. 
Thomas Powell was a referee in a controversy between 



188 HISTORY or 8A0O 

Sargent and Hitchcock 1670. Giles Hibbins ra 
Mary Pennel 1670. He received liberty from tb( 
to plant a piece of land "at the neck of land com 
called the Middle rock," until further order, 1673 
the next year was granted "all the neck of land j 
unto the Little river and unto the marsh," the san 
doubtless. William Seely died 1672. His childrei 
Emm, married to John Ruel 1668 ; and Dorcas, no 
to James Gibbins, jr. the same year. Giles Reac 
ried Judith Mayer about 1674. 

At a town commissioners' court holden before 
Phillips, associate, and Waddock, Gibbins and h 
commissioners, about 1664, John Williams and 
Palmer were defendants in two actions of debt, F 
Hooke, plaintiff. A former remark respecting the 
WiUianu should therefore be corrected ; as th 
fendants were doubtless inhabitants of the town. 1^ 
Sheldon appears about the same time ; Thomas '. 
few years later. Sheldon and Palmer were inhal 
of Scarboro' 1681-3. 

Few of the early inhabitants have a more nun 
posterity than Humphry Scamman, whose admissi 
June, 1680, has already been noticed. He was 
1640, perhaps in Portsmouth, N. H. where Mr. K 
Scamman settled about that time. Humphry aftei 
lived at Kittery point ; but the records of that ta 
not contain his name until 1 677, when the birth 
son Humphry was registered. His wife's name wai 
abeth ; their children were Humphry, born May 10, 
Elizabeth, who was married to Andrew Haley of 
ry, 1697 ; Mary and Rebecca, whose husbands' i 
were Puddington and Billings ;* and Samuel, bom 
Mr. Scamman removed to Cape Porpoise (Kenne 
port) before he came to Saco, where he received c 
grant 1679 ;f the same year in which he purchasi 
estate of H. Waddock in Saco. He died in this t 
January, 1727. 



*Both Portsmoath names as early as 1640. Belknap. Hiist. 
1 47. t A few leayee of the C. Porpoise records (aboat 1680) i 



AHD BIDDEFOBD. 189 



CHAPTER XV. 

. The peace made with the Indians in 1678 continuedi 
with some slight interruptions, for a period of ten years. 
During this short interval the inhabitants were often a- 
larmed by indications of a renewal of hostilities and the 
horrors of savage warfare. The utmost precaution was 
used to guard against surprise, and little real quiet seem» 
to have been enjoyed. The tribes inhabiting Maine, to 
whom the French gave the general name Abenaquis, and 
the English, Tarrentines, were regarded by the former 
people as "the most mild and docile of the Indians" ;* 
and this opinion of their natural character is confirmed 
by the peaceful intercourse which they so long maintained 
with the first settlers. But the late war, and the instiga- 
tions of the Canadian French, developed their worst pas- 
^ons, and converted them from friends into the most cruel 
enemies of the English inhabitants. The peace did not 
restore to them their former amicable feelings ; having be- 
come familiarized to scenes of violence and lawless de- 
predation, the once peaceful and harmless native was 
transformed into a blood-thirsty savage, prepared for the 
most atrocious deeds. Another cause, also, operated to 
degrade and corrupt the character of the Indians, which 
has had its effect in succeeding times, and in every part 
of the country ; we refer to the practice of supplying 
them with spiritous liauors. To this should be added 
the gross impositions of unprincipled traders, which ex- 
cited their hatred and jealousy towards the English gener- 
ally. The laws on this subject were not sufiiciently en- 
forced until too late to correct the error. One of the 
first orders passed by the Court under President Dan- 
forth, 1680, was intended to arrest the evil ; which pro- 
hibited the sale of spiritous liquors to the Indians under 
a penalty of 20s. for every pint sold to them, and likewise 
all trade with them in beaver or other peltry without spe- 
cial license from the government. 

*Hatcluiison. i. 404. 
17 



\ 



100 HlftTOftT OV SAGO 

In the summer of 1681 some depredations committed 
at Wells, caused orders to be issued to the military to hold 
themselves in readiness. The inhabitants were at that 
time directed ^'to carry arms and ammunition to public 
meetings ;" a precaution which long continued to be prac- 
tised. Another alarm spread through the Province a* 
bout two years later, when the following order of the 
Council, assembled by the deputy-president at Wdlsy 
was passed : "Whereas by intelligence from several places 
there appeareth vehement suspicion of the rising of the 
Indians in hostility against the English of this country, 
which calls for a readiness most speedily to prepare a- 
|ainst the assault of so barbarous an enemy, wnereof the 
Council beine sensible do account themselves obliged to 
take efTectual care, do order as follows : that the militia 
of every town in this province shall with all convenient 
speed, at the public charge of the towns wherein they 
live, provide garrison or garrisons in each town that may 
be convenient for the entertainment and defence of the 
whole inhabitants thereof, and to use their best endeavor 
therein, and order that every particular person in each 
town be furnished with arms and ammunition, according 
to the number of persons capable to use tbera.^ 

Garrisons, it is well known, were a common means of 
defence provided by the inhabitants throughout N. Eng- 
land down to the latest period of Indian hostilities. They 
were nothing more than vrooden fabrics built of niassivd 
timber, commonly having flankers, or wings, of the same 
material, and furnished with loop holes. A solid watt 
of palisadoes, of great thickness and strength, was in 
some cases made to enclose the garrison, leaving a con- 
siderable space around the premises, within which the 
people were safe from a sudden assault. The remains 
of buildings of this description mav yet be seen in some 
places, and have existed until within a few years in our 
own towns. 

The following letter from Maj. Hooke, (who bad re- 
moved from Saco,) to a gentieman of New Hampshire, 
describes an alarm that occurred not long after the date 
of the above order : 
"Capt. Babi:foot—- Sir, This is to inform you that just 



ANB BlDDCrOBO. 191 

low there came to me a post, wherein I am fully informed 
tfiat there is just ground to feare that the heathen have a 
aouden desigue against us : they having lately about Sa« 
coo afironted our English inhabitants there by threatening 
of themi as also killinge theyre doggs : but more par- 
ticularly in that on Fridayi and Lord's day last they have 
gathered all theyre corne, and are removed botn pack 
and packidge. A word to the wise is enough. Tbq old 
pfoverb is, forewarned forearmed. Mjrself and rest in com- 
uiaaion with us are fourthwith setting ourselves m a pos- 
tarS} and tomorrow our counsell meet for to consider 
what is needful to be done. Not else, beinge in greate 
baate, butt remayn, Sir, your obliged servant, 

Francis Hooke. 
Kitteiy, 13 Aug. 1685.'' 

In the spring of 1688, the tradinghouse of the Baron 
of St. Castine, a French inhabitant on the eastern side 
of the Penobscot, was plundered by Gov. Andros, on 
the pretence of its being seated within the limits of the 
En(pish jurisdiction, which the Baron refused to acknow- 
ledge. Castme had resided many years in the country, 
biving come out as an officer in the French regiment to 
Canada 1664 : these troops were disbanded three years 
after, and chiefly settled in Canada, where they received 
grants of lands from government. The Baron penetra- 
ted the wilderness, and finally pitched upon a spot near 
the mouth of the Penobscot, which at an earlier period 
had been occupied by a French establishment. He here 
fived in the midst of the Penobscot Indians, and even 
took for his wives the daughters of the chief Madocawan- 
do, the most powerful of the eastern sachems. The out- 
rage qX Andros, committed during the absence of the 
Baron, was probably the immediate cause of the war 
which soon after followed ; as the affi'onted Frenchman 
stirred up the hatred and animosity of the savages in that 
region against the English, and supplied them with arms 
and ammunition for carrying on hostilities. The Indians 
in the western part of the Province, pretended to have 
sufficient grounds for renewing the war. They complai- 
ned that the tribute of corn stipulated to be paid them, 
bad been refused ; that they were disturbed in their fish- 



193 BISTOBT OF SACO 

iog OD Saco river by the use of nets and seines, which 
obstructed the passage of the fish : that their lands were 
granted away by patents : and that they were cheated 
and abused by the traders. Threats were thrown out 
during the summer, which justly alarmed the inhabitants. 
At length, a report having reached thb place that some 
mischief had been done at North Yarmouth, Mr. Black- 
man, who was a justice of the peace, ordered CapU John 
Sargent to seize sixteen or twenty Indians who bad been 
most active in the former war, in order to have an exami- 
nation, and to bring in the rest to a renewal of the treaty.* 
They were carried under a strong guard to Falmoutb. 
Notice of this transaction having been sent to Boston^ 
judge Stoughton and others came down to obtain a con- 
ference with the Indians by means of the prisoners, but 
their endeavors proved ineffectual, and they returned, ta- 
king the prisoners with them. 

Blood was first shed at Dartmouth, now Newcastle, 
near Pemaquid, early in September.f A few days after 
Capt. Gendal and his servant were killed at North Yar- 
mouth. Towards winter two families of the names Bar- 
row and Bussy, living in Kennebunk, near Winterharbor, 
were cut off. Crov. Andros, who was at N. York when 
the Indian prisoners were carried to Boston, on bis return 
set them at liberty, from an idea that too much severity 
had been practised by his predecessors in their treatment 
of the savages ; at the same time he issued a proclama- 
tion, requiring the authors of the late outrages to be given 
up. No notice was taken of this demand, when Andros 
raised a large body of soldiers, (as we have before stated,) 
and marched at their head in the depth of winter from 
Boston to Pemaquid, but without destroying a single ene- 
my, altliough some of his own men perished with the cold. 
In April, 1689, ^Hbe savages began to renew hostilities at 
Saco falls, on a Lord's day morning," says Mather ; but 
no lives appear to have been lost. Two or three months 
after, four young men of this town going to seek their 
horses for the purpose of joining a party under Captain 

*Cotton Mather, (the historian of the second Indian war,) Magna* 
la. 11. 506. t Hutchinson, i. 326. 



Aim BIDDKrOBD. 193 

V^hbol, were wtjrlaid and killed. A oonpeny of twentf 
fiHir men was imroediatdy raised to search for the bodies 
of the slain, who falling in with the savages, pursued them 
into ^a irast swamp,' probably the Heath, but were obliged 
to retire with the loss of six of their number. 

A revolution in the government took place dbis seasoDi 
tiiiich resulted in the forcible removal of Andros. From 
a statement afterwards published by the latter, we learn 
that ten companies, composed of sixty men each, were 
Statbned in Maine ; one of which, commanded by Capt. 
John Lloyd, was placed here, and afterwards increased 
by an additkmal detachment of twenty eight-men. A 
less number, under Lieut. Puddington, was stationed at 
Kennebunk, *Ho be relieved from Saco."* 

The next year, 1690, was signalized by the destruction 
ofthe settlement at Salmon Falls,f (Berwick,) and the 
capture of the fort at Falmoudi, by two parties of French 
and Indians. '^The garrisons at rapoodack, (C. Eliza- 
beth,) Spurwink, Black-point and Blue-point," says Dr. 
Mather, *<were so disanimated by these disasters, that 
without orders they drew off immediately to Saco, twenty 
miles, within Casco, and from Saco in a few days also they 
^rew off to Wells, twenty miles within the said Saco ; and 
about half Welb drew off as far as Lieut. Storer's.'' 

Scouting parties were employed during the summer be- 
tween Portsmouth and Falmouth, by means of which the 
Indians were restrained from furdier depredations of any 
magnitude. In September, Col. Church was sent into 
Ae province with considerable forces, partially composed 
of friendly natives of the old colony. They landed at 
Pegypscot, where a fort, built by Andros, had been in pos- 
session of the Indians who hastily fled on the approach 
vf C<d. Church, leaving behind several women and 
children; these falling into his hands were all put' to 
death(*knocked on the head,') except the wives of two 
^efs whose influence was wanted to obtain a restoration 
-of prisoners. From that place, Col. Church sailed to 



*3 Mum. Hist. Ck>ll. i. 86. It is also steted that these troops all de- 
serted after the return of Andros from the eastward : bat Captain 
Lloyd sabseqaenUy performed many valuable services in the Pro- 
vince. See Mather. tCharlevoiz, liv. vii. writes the name Sementels. 

17* 




\ 



V 



194 HISTOKT or 8AC0 

Winter Harbor ; thcf nett morning after they arrived ^ 
Hhey discovered some smokes rising towards Scamman'^ 
garrison : he immediately sent away a scout of 60 men^ 
and followed presently with the whole body.'* This gar- 
rison was about three miles below the falls, on the eastern, 
side of the river ; when the detachment approached it, 
they discovered the Indians on the opposite side. Three 
of them, however, had crossed the river, and seeing our 
men, ran with great speed to their canoe ; in attempting 
to re-cross, one who stood up to paddle, was killed by a 
shot from the party, and falling upon the canoe caused ic 
to 'break to pieces,' Tsays Church,) 'so that all three per- 
ished.' The firing alarmed the other savages who aban- 
doned their canoes and ran from the river. *01d Doney,^ 
a noted Indian, was at the Falls, together with a prisoner^ 
Thomas Baker,f and hearing the guns, came down th^ 
rivfr in his canoe ; but on perceiving our men, ran his 
canoe ashore, and leaping over the head of Baker, esca- 
ped to the other Indians. Col. Church afterwards went:: 
again to Ca$co bay, and from thence back as far as Wells, 
where the chiefs whose wives had been spared, cam^ 
in, and 'said three several times that they would never 
fight against the English any more, for the French made 
fools of them, fee' But early the following year (1 691), 
fresh outrages were committed. 

Sir William Phips, having been appointed governor 
of Massachusetts, resolved to carry on the war with re- 
newed spirit. Maj. Converse was made commander of the 
forces in the province, who commenced building a stone 
fort near Saco falls in the summer of 1693. ^Repairing 
to Saco,' says Mather, 'they began another fort, which 
was carried on by that worthy gentleman. Major Hooke, 
and the truly commendable Capt. Hill, and proved a mat- 
tei or good consequence to the province.' The fort stood 
on the western side of the river, a short distance below 
the falls ; the remains of it are still visible on the high 
bank nearly opposite the Manufacturing establishment. 
It is said to have been built with so much strength that 
the Indians never attempted to take it ; of course it af- 

*Clioreh ■ W«r8.117. tAn inhabitant of Scarboro' 1681. Sear. Rec. 



i> 




AND BISDETOILD. 195 

ferded great security to the inhabitants. A number of 
soldiers were stationed here under the conomand of Capt. 
George Turfrey and Lieut. Pendleton Fletcher. So 
much energy was shown in the preparations for war in 
the early part of this year, that the Indians became alarm- 
ed, sued lor peace, and, in August, a treaty was made at 
Pemaquid, 'signed by the principal Sagamores of all the 
Indians belonging to the several rivers of Penobscot and 
Kennebeck, Amarascoggin and Saco.' The following 
summer, however, hostilities were renewed near the Pas- 
cataqua, at Spruce creek, and in York. The leaders 
were fortunately seized ; Robin Doney and three others 
at Saco fort, and Bomaseen at Pemaqiiid, in August 1694. 
The latter was sent to a gaol in Boston. The next 
March, two soldiers belonging to the fort at this place, fell 
into the hands of the enemy, one of whom was killed, 
and the other carried into captivity. The savages appear 
to have lurked about the fort, watching an opportunity 
for mischief. Sergeant Haley was cut off in this man- 
ner, venturing carelessly out of the fort, in the latter part 
of the summer. The next year five soldiers in a similar 
way lost their lives. They had discovered the enemy in 
season to make their escape, but not agreeing about the 
course to be taken, (being at a considerable distance from 
the fort,) they unfortunately fell into an ambush and were 
all slain. 

Maj. Charles Frost, of Sturgeon creek (Kittery,) was 
killed on Sunday, July 4, 1697, returning from public 
worship at Berwick ; 'to repair unto which,' says Dr. 
Mather, 'about five miles from his own house, he had that 
rooming expressed such an earnestness, that much notice 
was taken of it.' Two others were killed at the same 
time, but two sons of Maj. Frost, who were in the com- 
.pany, happily escaped. The Indians had secreted them- 
selves behind a collection of boughs lying near the road ; 
the place was open and level, and apparently much less 
likely to conceal an enemy than other pa'rts of the road 
which they passed. Maj. Frost filled various offices of 
great respectability. In 1693, he was a member of the 
Council of Mass. Bay, elected by the people under the 
provisions of the new charter. He had been an active 




196 HIITO&T OF 8AC0 

officer in Pliilip'6 war, and was much feared by the aava-* 
ges. His father, Nicholas Frost, already mentioQed ad 
one of the first setders in Kittery, died in 1663, at the 
age of 71 years, leaving two other sons, Jdhn and Nicbo^ 
las. The capture of Lieut. Fletcher, and his two sonsi 
took place the same year ; of which Dr. Mather gives the 
following account. ^'Three soldiers of Saco Fort cutting 
some firewood on Cow island for the use of die fort, were 
by the Indians cut oflf; while diat Lieut. Fletcher with bii 
two sons, that should have guarded them, went a fowling ; 
and by doing so they likewise fell into the snare. The 
Indians carrying these three captives down the river in one 
of their canoes, Lieut. Larrabee, who was abroad with 
a scout, waylaid them, and firing on the foremost of the 
canoes that had three men f Indians) in it, they all three 
fell and sank in the river of oeath ; several were killed a- 
board the other canoes ; and the rest ran their canoes a- 
ahore and escaped on the other side of the river ; and one 
of the Fletchers, when all the Indians with him were kill- 
ed, was delivered out of the hands which had made a pris- 
oner of him , though his poor father afterwards died a- 
mong them." 

About the same time Humphry Scamman and his family 
were taken and carried to Canada. The story of their 
capture is thus related by an aged lady, a grand dai^hter 
of Samuel, the youngest son of Mr. Scamman. When 
Samuel was about ten years old, as his grand daughter 
lias often heard him relate, he was sent one day by bis 
mother with a mug of beer to his father and brodier, who 
Were at work on a piece of marsh in the neighborhood of 
the lower ferry. He had not gone far fix>m the house 
when he discovered a number of Indians at a distance^ 
-and immediately ran back to inform his mother. He re- 
gained the house, and wished to fasten the doors and win- 
dows, but his mother prevented, saying that the Indians 
would certainly kill them if he did. They soon came 
into the house *and asked the good woman where her san^ 
ap (husband) wm ? She refused to inform them, when 
they threatened to carry her ofiT alone ; but promised if 
ahe would discover where he was, to take them together 
without harm. She then told them. After destroying 




AKB BIODETORD. 197 

much of the furniture in the house, breaking many articles 
on a flat stone by the door, and emptying the feaUier bedg 
to secure the sacks, they went away with the prisoners 
towards the marsh, where they succeeded in capturing 
Mr. Scamman and his other son. A boy named Robin- 
son, who had been for the team, as he was returning, per- 
ceived the savaees in season to make his escape ; mount- 
ing a horse, with only his garters for a bridle, be rode up 
to what is now called Gray's point, swam the horse to 
Cow island, and leaving him there, swam to the opposite 
diore, and reached the fort in safety. He found only a 
few old men and women in possession of the place. The 
nins were immediately fired to alarm the soldiers belong- 
ing to the fort, who were at work some distance off. The 
women in the meantime put on men's clothes, and showed 
themselves about the fort, so that they could be seen by 
the Indians who had come up to the opposite island. De- 
ceived by this stratagem, (supposing the fort to be well 
manned, as they afterwards acknowledged,) they did not 
venture an attack, but drew off with a number of prison- 
ers beside Scamman and his family. As the peace took 
place soon after, the prisoners were all restored, having 
oeen probably about one year in captivity. Mr. Scam- 
man on his return, found his house m precisely the same 
condition in which it had been left ; even the mug of beer, 
which Samuel placed on the dresser, was found remaining 
there. This mug is still in existence, preserved by our 
venerable informant as a memorial of the dangers and suf- 
ferings to which her ancestors were exposed. It is a 
handsome article of brown ware, with the figure and 
name of King William stamped upon it. Its age is about 
140 years. 

In 1698, the war between England and France being 
at an end, the Indians made new overtures for peace, 
and conmiissioners were sent to treat with them, who con- 
cluded a treaty at a place called Mar's Point, Casco bay, 
Jan. 7, 1699. Thus ended a bloody war, which had 
continued with little intermission for ten years. 
. The settlements enjoyed however, but a short respite 
from the unspeakable miseries of savage warfare. The 
succession of Queen Anne to the English throne 1702, 




s^ 



198 BISTORT OF SACO 

was followed by a renewal of hostilities with Franee.- 
The next year Grov. Dudley appointed a conference with 
the Eastern Indians at Falmouth, in consequence of some 
indications of an alarming character. Delegates appeared 
from the difierent tribes, who declared to the Governor 
that ''as high as the sun was above the earth, so far dis- 
tant was a design of making war from them." The sus- 
picions that had been excited, were soon confirmed^ how- 
ever, and in August, six weeks after the conference, a 
body of 500 French and Indians fell upon the settlements 
between Casco and Wells, burning and destroying all be- 
fore them. One hundred and thirty people were killed 
and taken prisoners in the course of this devastation.* 
A earrison at Winter Harbor, and the stone fort at the 
FaUs, were attacked by this party ; the former after a 
stout resistance, finally capitulated on favorable terms. lo 
the assault on the fort, eleven were killed and twenty-four 
taken prisoners, who were carried into captivity. At 
Spurwink twenty-two persons of the name of Jordan 
were either killed or captured. The garrison at Scarbo- 
ro' held out against an attack. At Cape Elizabeth (Pion 
pooduck) twenty-five were killed and eight taken. The 
expedition was led by a French officer named Beaubas- 
sin, who reported on his return to Canada, that he bad 
9lain three hundred English, but taken little plunder. 
This statement is discredited by the able authors of the 
Universal History, on the ground that the English ac* 
counts are silent respecting it, and that a considerable 
spoil must necessarily have been obtained.f But the 
French account is too nearly supported by Penhallowi an 
American writer. The inhabitants, having been lulled 
into security by the result of the conference at Casco, 
were taken by surprise and became the easy victims of the 
perfidious cruelty of the savages. Towards the close 
of the year, five of our inhabitants who were getting home 
wood, were surprised by the enemv and three of them 
slain. The next month (Jan. 1704,) a body of Indiana 
attacked a garrison in Saco, probdbly at the Falls, com* 
manded by Capt. Brown, but were repulsed.| Capt* 

^Fenhallow'd < Wars of New England.' f Mod. Univ. Hist. il. 146. 

tSewalL MS. Diary. 



.. I ttmimUilimm 



AND BIDDEFO&D. 199 

HiH (Joseph, probably) who had fallen into the hands of 
the enemy, was sent from Canada 1706, to obtain an ex- 
change of prisoners ; be reported that there were with the 
French 114 captives, besides 70 with the Indians. Saco 
Fort was at that time undergoing repairs ; for we find 
Capt. Turfrey allowed by the Gen. Court of 1704, 
jei64 for this purpose.* 

About this time, Ebenezer Hill (afterwards Deacon) 
and his wife Abigail, then recently married, were carried 
into captivity. Several Indians, who professed to be 
friendly and were frequently in the houses of the inhabi- 
tants, called at Mr. Hill's in the usual manner one mon- 
ning, and partook of some food which was ofiered them. 
They left the house, but soon after returned and finding 
Mr. Hill gone, told his wife that they must make her a 
prisoner. They proceeded to plunder such articles from 
the house as they could conveniently carry away, and de- 
stroying others. When Mr. Hill came, he found his wife 
secHred, having her arms pinioned, and the savages em- 
pk^ed in emptying a feather bed. He gave himself into 
their bands, and the Indians decamped with the prison- 
ers. They were carried to Canada, where they remain- 
ed three years. Their oldest son, Ebenezer, was born 
etfber in Canada or while they were on their return. He 
was familiarly called the Frenchman in after years. Mr. 
Hill's house was on the western side of the river, near 
the head of 'ferry lane.' 

In 1707, an engagement took place at Winter Harbor 
between a fleet of fifty canoes, manned by 150 Indians, 
and two small vessels in which were Capt. Austin, Mr. 
Harmon, Sergeant Cole, five other men and a boy. See- 
ing the canoes approach in a hostile manner, the men 
fired upon them as soon as they came near, and produced 
some confusion. The Indians soon recovered, however, 
and t brisk actk>n ensued. They succeeded in capturing 
one of the boats, but the men escaped into the other with 
the loss of only one man, Beni. Daniels, who was shot 
through the bowels. As he fell, be exclaimed, ''I am a 
dead man !" but recovering himself a little, he added, 

^i— ^— ^1— —i^^— — ^iM^— — — — »— ~^^^mmmmmmtmmm^mmmmmmmm^t^immmm*mt^^mmm 

*Mafl8. Reccrrdd. 




200 HISTOUT OF SACO 

"Let me kill one before I die !" his strength, however, 
failed him. The action lasted three hours. The In- 
dians approached near enough to seize the blades of the 
oars. 

The Gen. Court passed an order 1708, directing the 
removal of the forces from the stone fort at the falls to 
Winter Harbor, where a new fort was built on the extremi- 
ty of the point at the entrance of the Pool. Three hun- 
dred pounds were appropriated for this object, and Maj. 
Joseph Hammond and Capt. Lewis Bane appointed to 
carry the order into effect. In 17 1 0, one hundred pounds 
•were granted by the court towards the completion of the 
fortification, which was called Fort Mary ; a supply of 
snow-shoes and mogasins was voted at the same time. 
The remains of Fort Mary are now distinctly visible on 
the point, which is still called Fort bill. In August of 
that year, about fifty French and Indians made an assault 
on Winter Harbor, killed a woman, and took two men, 
one of whom, Pendleton Fletcher, was captured for the 
fourth time. The garrison redeemed him. The next 
week a large party came, killed three, and carried away 
six. They barbarously stripped off the skin from one of 
the slain, and made girdles of it. Col. Walton with 170 
tnen, soon after visited the place, and marched up the 
river, but succeeded in destroying only two of the enemy 
and taking five prisoners. Corporal Ayers of Fort Mai/ 
fell into the hands of the savages about this time, but wa^ 
liberated immediately ; the Indians, being weary of th(^ 
war, which had reduced the number of their fighting meoi^ 
from 450 to 300, sent in a flag of truce to the fort, anf- 
desired a treaty. But some of them committed depreda — ' 
tions afterwards in Wells, York, and Dover ; and peaces 
did not take place until 1713, after the cessation of hostilr^^ 
ties and the treaty of Utrecht in Europe. They seoi^ 
in proposals to Capt. Moody of Falmouth, signifyin^S 
their desire of trea^ ; and on 11 July, 1713, Govemoi^ 
Dudley and the Council met them at Portsmouth, where^ 
by a formal writing under hand and seal, they renewei^ 
their allegiance and '^beg^ed the Queen's pardon for thei^^ 
former miscarriages." 




p. 

r 



AHD BIDDEFORD. 201 

A Chronological view of the principal events of a general 
character noticed in tne foregoing pages. 

■1809 DiscoTery of New England. 

1603 DiseoTerv of Saco river, called Shawakotock. 

1604-5 Visit of the French naTigators, De Monts and ChampUin. 

1606 Ptymouth Company formed. 

1607 Sagadehock Colony sent oat. 
1606 Retarn of the Colonists to England. 

1614 Visit of Capt. John Smith to Saco rirer, called Sawoeotack. 

1616 Richard Vines passes the winter at Winter Harbor. 

ItSO Council of Plymouth established. 

1622 Grant of Laconia to Gorges and Mason. 

1638 First permanent settlement in Maine, at Pemaquid. 

1890 Patents on Saco river granted. Settlement made on the wes- 
tern side of the river, now Biddeford. 

1631 Settlement on the eastern side of the river, now Saco. The in- 
habitants on both patents composing one town called Saco ; 

governed by a Combination. Plough Patent granted, 
^parate grant from the Council of Plymouth to Gorges, from 
Pascataqua to Kennebec -, made a Province by Gorges under 
the name of New Somersetshire, and William Gorges sent out 
as governor. 

1636 Government of New Somersfttshire organized at Saco. Urst 
Court holdeil on the eastern side of the river. 

1839 Grant of the Council to Gorges confirmed by the King ; the 
name of the Province changed to Mil inb. 

1640 Government of Maine organized ; General Court holden at 
Saco. Thomas Gorges Governor. 

1643 Gov. Gorges returns to England. Richard Vinee, Steward 
General, the acting governor. Plough Patent purchased by 
Alex- Rigby ; the towns embraced in it formed into a separate 
jurisdiction, styled the Province of Lygonia. Geo. Cleaves ap- 
pointed Deputy President. 

1645 K. Vines elected Governor of Maine by the General Court. 
Succeeded by Henry Jocelyn. Vines conveys his Patent to 
Dr. Robert Child. 

1646 Controveriy of Gorges and Rigby decided in favor of the latter. 

1647 Death of Sir F. Gorges ', succeeded as Lord Proprietor by Sir 
John Gorges. 

1649 Combination of the towns Pascataqua, Gorgeana and Wells. 
Edward Godfrey chosen governor. 

1650 Death of Alexander Rigby ; succeeded by Edward Rigby. 

1652 The Colony of Mass. Bay claims the greater part of the Pro- 
vince of Maine as within her patent and jurisdiction. Claim 
resisted by Gov. Godfirey and his Council. Pascataqua and 
Gorgeana submit ; named Kittery and York. The Province 
converted into the Countv of Yorkshire. 

1663 Wells, Cape Porpoise and Saco submit to Mass Bay. 

1655 Levy maae on Vines's patent, as the property of Messrs. Beex 

A do. of London. 
1658 Blue-point, Black-point and Casco submit to Mass. Bay. The 

two former plantations incorporated under the name of Scar- 

boro* ', Casco called Falmouth. 

18 



4. 

166d Beei A Co. sell Vines's Patent to William Phillips of Bostc 

who removes to Saca 
1665 The King's CommiBsioners come into the Province, and esta 

lish a new jarisdiction ; Henry Jocelyn left at the head of t 

government. Sir Ferdinando, son and successor to Sir Jo! 

Gorges, revives his claim to the Province. 
1668 Mass. Bay forcibly resomes a jurisdiction in the Province. Cc 

flict at York. 

1675 Philip's war commences. 

1676 Controversy between Gorges and Mass. Bay decided in Ex 
land in favor of the former. 

1677 Gorges sells the Province to Mass. Bay for the sum of £12 
sterfing. 

1678 Peace with the Indians. Treatv made at Falmouth. 

1680 Thomas Danforth President of Maine. Brian Pendleton i 

Suty-president. 
osepn Dudley President of New England. Superseded by £ 
Edmund Andros. 
1688 Second war with the Indians. 

1690 Berwick (Salmon Falls) and Casco destroyed by the Frew 
and Indians. 

1691 New Charter ^ranted to Mass. Bay by William and Mary. 

1692 Sir William Phips Governor of Mass. Bay. 

1693 Stone Fort built at Saco Falls. 

1698 Peace with the Indians. Treaty of Mar's Point. 

1703 Third Indian war. Joseph Dudley Governor of Mass. D( 

scent of the French from Canada on the towns in Maine. 
1710. Fort Mary built at Winter Harbor, Saco. 
1713 Peace concluded with the Indians. 




1 for bhe Hiet- of Saco iKTBiddetbrii. 



HISTORY 

OF 

S^CO AJVD BinnEFORD. 



PART SECOND. 



CHAPTER I. 

After the pacificatioo of 1713, the dispersed inhabi- 
tants began to return to their deserted homes from the 
more secure settlements to which they had fled for safety ; 
the garrisons and forts in which those who remained, had 
been confined, were now abandoned, and the town in- 
stead of presenting to the eye the dreary aspect of tenant- 
less dwellings and uncultivated fields, became once more 
the abode of a busy and industrious, though not a numer- 
ous population. A new period in its history thus com- 
mences. For nearly thirty years no records of meetings 
for the transaction of town afTairs, are found ; the first 
record after this long interval shows that the inhabitants 
had ceased to act as a municipal body, and describes 
the measures taken to re-organize in that capacity. It is 
as follows : "March 15, 1717. The inhabitants of Saco 
thought fit to make choice of officers as in other towns by 
reason of a public charge arising in the town, for defray- 
ing public charges, as making a rate for the' payment of 
Rev. Mr. Short, and other charges that may arise ; and 
at the meeting of the inhabitants it is a clear vote that 
IJumphry Sc^mrpan is town clerk, and that Mr. Andrew 



204 HISTORY OF SACO 

Brown, Richard Stimpson, and H. Scamman, be select- 
men and assessors, and John Stackpole constable, and at 
the meeting thought fit not to make choice of any other 
officers." In May another meeting was held for signing 
a petition to the General Court to obtain a continuance of 
the minister's salary the ensuing year, ''and accordingly 
there was a blank signed by the whole meeting, and com* 
mitted to the constable to get a scrivener to draw the 
same," who made return that he had done accordingly, 
and committed the same to Capt. Lewis Bean, the repre- 
sentative of York. The petition was signed by John 
Lane, and thirteen others, whose names are not record- 
ed ; it was granted by the Court. 

Capt. Lane was at this time the commander of Fort 
Mary, Winter Harbor, where he died not long after. He 
was bom in Limerick, Ireland, and emip;rated to New 
England while a young man. Before his military ap- 

E ointment, at this place, he had settled in Hampton, N. H.* 
e was succeeded by John Gray, Esq. in the command 
of Fort Mary. This gentleman came from England with 
Gov. Shute 1716, from whom he received both a military 
and a civil commission. He was a,t Winter Harbor as 
early as January, 1720. 

At a townmeeting in July, William Dyer was elected 
"attorney or agent of the town for one year." The same 
year, the following petition was presented to the General 
Court by Capt. Bean, *'in behalf of himself, Casco bay, 
and Black-point ; Whereas four years ago Benjamin Ha- 
ley was allowed to keep a ferry on Saco river at its moutb, 
which place is inconvenient on account of its nearness to 
the sea, and the roughness thereby occasioned ; and said 
Haley is negligent, and travellers are exposed to danger, 
and there is a more commodious place for one higher 
up where H. Scamman now dwells, whose father for 
many years kept the ferry till in the late war he was dri- 
ven away by Indians ; wherefore he prays that said Scam- 
man may be appointed by this court to keep the ferry at 
that place." The petition was granted. 

*Pami1y tnuUtion. Col. I. Lane^ of HolUa, is a great-girandsoa of 
Capt. * 



ANB BIDDCrOBD. 205 

The next year, 1718, the last meeting of the inhabi- 
tants on both sides of the river under the old name of 
Saco, was holden at the house of John Stackpole ; when 
EbenesKr Hill, Scamman and Stimpson, were chosen se- 
lectaien. . No other proceedioKs of the town this year are 
preserved ; hut the records of the General Court in some 
measure simply the deficiency. "Nov. 14, 1718. On 
petition of H. Scamman and others, resolved, that £40 
DC allowed and paid out of the pubKc treasury towards 
the support of a minister at Winter Harbor for this year-} 
and that the petitioners be invested with the powers of a 
town according to the ancient bounds thereof; provided 
that this order shall in no measure infringe the just title of 
any person to lands there, and that fifty families at the 
least more than now are, to be admitted as somi as mav 
be, and settle in a compact and defensible manner accord- 
ing to the direcuons of Hon. John Wheelwright [of Wells,] 
and others, the committee for regulating the eastern set- 
tlements ; And that the name thereof be Biddsfobd.^* 

The townmeeting in March, 1719, is the first recorded 
to have been holden in Biddeford. Benjamin Haleyi 
Hill and Scamman were chosen selectmen ; John Sharpe 
surveyor. In May, it was "voted that H. Scamman ap- 
pear sent and represent this town before the great and 
General Court at Boston." And ''that the selectmen 
give bis ExceUency thanks, and that his Excellency be 
desired to send for this representative no oftener than 
there is occasion for the service of this town in their be- 
half. Voted that the selectmen run the line between 
Cape Porpoise and this town." 

A meeting was held 2 April, 1720, for the purpose c^ 
dividing the commons or town lands, ''for the enlarging 



*8<»me of th0 inhabitants we suppose emigrated from Biddeford, 
£qg., which is in the connty of beTonshire, near the entrance^tb 
Bristol Channel, and is thus described b^ Worcester, Univ. Gaxei> 
teer: *< Biddeford, or Bideford, (By therord,) a seaport, 40 miles 
north of Exeter, 108 west of London ; popolation 3244. It u sitim- 
ted near the anion of Towridge and the Taw [rivers,] over the 
former of which there is a very long bridge of 24 arches. Large 
quantities of coarse earthen ware aie made here, and sent to most 
parts of the Kingdom. The market is large end well supplied 
provisioiii.** 

18* 



306" RfiTomr or saco 

the town and setdement'* ; 100 acres were voted for a par* 
aonage ; H. Scamman, Jr. was granted 50 acres "wherei 
he can find it clear of all former grants ; and it is^ h^eil 
that he shall not exceed fifty poles in breadth, aiad all the 
lands that shall be given this day, to be laid out aebordiAg 
to this form as to quantity of breadth ;" J. Sukckpole 40 
acres ; Pendleton Fletcher 50 ; Samuel Cole 45 ; E. 
Hill 40 ; B. Haley 40 ; Capt. John Sharpe 40 ; W. Ov- 
er 40 ; Rob. Edgecomb 30 ; R. Edgecomb jr. 30 ; Roll. 
Elwell 40 ; John Brown 40 ; Samuel Smith 35 ; Rich- 
ard Smith 40 ; Ebenezer Pratt 40 ; Solomon Smith 40 ; 
Mathew Robertson 30 ; Nathaniel Tarbox 40 ; John Da- 
vis 40 ; Wm. Gibson 40 ; Samuel Scamman 40 ; Samuel 
Jordan 40 ; John Sharpe jr. 30. H. Scamman's gV&nl 
was bounded in part as follows : ''Beginning at a point 
of rocks lying forty poles W. S. W. distance from a bea- 
ver dam that hinders the passage of the water froin fall-' 
ing into Frandi Backus^ brook, it being the northernmost 
branch of Little river, by which is understood fbe Little 
tiver on the south west side of Saco river," be. 

In 1722 it was voted to raise j&22 to defiray the charged 
of the town ; and not to send a representative ^%y rea- 
son of not being of ability to defray the expense." Five 
years after, the government issued £60,000 in bills of 
credit, which was distributed among the towns, to be 
loaned to individuals, and repaid at stated times widi inter- 
est.* Sept. 22, 1728, there was a townmeeting ''for the 
choice of three persons as trustees of the £60,000 loan ;** 
Fletcher, Hill, and H. Scamman were chosen. The 
trustees were directed by the town "to let out the money 
in sums not exceeding £10, with sufiScient security." 

A further allotment of town lands was made 1728, 
each lot consisting of 30 acres, on condition that the 
grantees paid to the treasurer 4l. and dweh in the tdWn 
five years. The following persons received grants at this 
time : Joshua Hooper, Allen Gordon, Henry Pende:!cter, 
Charles Monk, Edward Rumery, John Smith, John Biy- 
ant, Jacob Davis, Samuel Cole, Joseph Gordon, PendJe- 



•Huteh. Hiit Muf . ii. $97. 



ttm Fleneher jr., Ebeoezer Hill jr., John Stackpole jr., 
JobD Treworgf, Thomas Eklgeoomb, Robert Brooks, 
John BroWDy William Dyer jr. Capt. Samuel Jordan. 
: The FhiHips heirs appeared on the re-settlement of the 
towoi and caused a division of their lands to be made. 
The principal tract was four miles square, embracing the 
upper half of the original patent, which had been devised 
by Maj. Phillips to his lady and two sons, Samuel and 
Wiliam, with the exception of one fourth part previously 
sold to Abraham Harmon of Fayal. Samuel, a few years 
alter the death of his father, as we have stated, sold hi^ 
undivided part, being one fourth of the whole, to Capt. 
Geo. Turfrey. One half of the tract only, therefore, waft 
claimed by the Phillips family, at the time of the division, 
which took place in September, 1718. Those who ap- 
peared, were William Phillips, Deborah, the wife of Wil- 
liam Skinner, Sarah and Anne Phillips, singlewomen, and 
Bridget, the wife of John Merryfield, all of Boston, grand- 
children of Maj. Phillips. On the part of the other pro- 
prietors, John Briggs of Boston alone appeared, whos6 
wife Katherine was a daughter of Capt. Turfrev. The 
division was made by Messrs. Joseph Hill of Wells, and 
Lewis Bean of York, commissioners, and Abraham Pre- 
4ile of York, surveyor. They began "at a small brooJt 
below the Falls, known by the name of Davis's brook, 
and thence ran four miles up the river, and thence back- 
'wards into the country four miles ;** including Bonython 
«nd Cow islands, and the sawmiU buih by Capt. Turfrey* 
Six acres about the mill were assigned to the proprietors 
in common for a landing, still known 'as the mill brow.* 
The commissioners then proceeded as follows : 1 . They 
kid out to Briggs, beginning at Davis's brook, an extent 
df eighty rods on the river, running back south west fout 
miles to the bounds of the patent. 2. To the Phillips 
heirs 160 rods next above on the river, and four miles 
back. 3. To the heirs or assigns of Harmon eizhty rods. 
4. To the Phillips heirs one mile and a half. 5. To 
Briggs three fourths of a mile. 6. To Harmon three 
fourths of a mile. Two years after, the Phillips heirs 
sold out in part to Edward Brorafield jr., Thomas Sal- ^ 

lefi Samuel Adams, (father of Gov. S. Adams,) and A 



208 BISTORT or 8ACO 

• 

Henry Hill, all of Boston. Briggs ako sold in part to 
Tristram Litde of Newbury, a few years later. TIm 
supposed heir of Harmon, George Buck of Biddeford, 
England, did not appear until a much later date. In 
1758 he sold Harmon's first lot, eighty rods wide, to Benj. 
Nason ; and nine years after the second lot, S-4 of a 
mile in breadth, to John Mc Intire of York. CorrespQn- 
ding shares in the mill, long known as 'the lower mill/ 
were conveyed with the land. This mill, originally buik 
by Capt. George Turfrey probably soon after his pur^ 
chase (l691,) continued to be renewed until 1814, when 
it was carried away by 'the great freshet'. The Eddy 
mill was afterwards built nearly on the same privilege. At 
the time of this division, Samuel Cole was living near the 
mill brow ; and the following year he purchased twelve 
acres lying above the Turfrey mill, including the i^eep 
faU privilege, on which he soon after buih the Cole attu, 
where it now stands. Twenty years later (1740) Cole 
sold, as a part of his 12 acres, one half of the Gooci 
miU privilege to Thomas Wheelwright of WeHs ; and the 
latter directly after sold 1-4 to Benj. Gooch of Wells. 
Cole, in his conveyance to Wheelwright, speaks of his 
old miU^ referring to the Cole mill, which was buih 
about 1720. In the spring of 1741, the three pro- 
prietors built the Gooch mill on the island now called 
Gooch island, separated from the main by a channel 
formerly known as Jordan's creek. The right of Cole 
to convey any part of the island, (containing thr^e or 
four acres,^ has long been a vexed question, irom which 
innumerable lawsuits have sprung. 

Nathaniel, a son of Major Phillips, left no Imeal heirs. 
His nephew William took out administration on his estate 
1719, and brought in a tract of land H miles in breadth 
on the river, and extending four miles to the southwest. 
Adams, Salter, and Bromfield, afterwards joined by Pep- 
perell, purchased out the collateral heirs, and divided the 
tract among themselves. Parker's neck, on which Fort 
Mary was built, formed a part of this property, and was 
sold by the heirs to Capt. Samuel Jordan 1727. Capt* 
Jordan erected a dwellinghou^e there not long before^ 
which is now standing, occupied by Deacon Wddo HiH; 



AN0 BIDDErORB. 209 

His conveyaoce runs — "All the land between the lower 
end of the pines on Parker's neck, commonly called 
D^nd mill hill, to the dove before said Jordan's dwelling- 
house." The division was made 1730, and included a 
somewhat greater extent than the land of Nathl. Phillips. 
The proprietors first divided a tract bounded on the south- 
erly line of Phillips's patent, (terminating at the river 
with (fte house of Ambrose Berry, probably near Clarke's 
brook,) and running up the river 242 rods ; Secondly, a 
tract adjoining this, extending 224 rods above, to the land 
of Mr. Gordon, formerlv Pendleton's ; the first about 
three, the second four, miles in length, southwesterly from 
the river. 

The 600 acres devised by Maj. Pendleton to his son 
James, were conveyed by the latter to Nicholas Morev 
of Taunton, Mass. in 1700. James describes himself 
'^f Westerly alias Haversham, in Rhode Island and 
Providence Plantations."* Mr. Morey took possession 
of the Pendleton tract the same year, in presence of Joseph 
and John Hill. John Gordon, of Newbury, afterwards 
purchased a part of this land on which his sons Allen 
and Joseph were settled 1728. It is still occupied by 
descendants of Joseph Gordon. 

The 500 acres conveyed by Maj. Phillips to Zachary 
Gillam and Ephraim Turner, his^sons in law, lay next a- 
bove Pendleton's, having West's brook on the south east. 
The lot was about 70 rods wide. Next came the land of 
William Hutchinson, "formerly called Liscomb's lot," 
containing the same number of acres. In 1742, Abigail 
Gillam, widow Abigail Taylor, and Brattle Oliver, of Bos- 
ton, sold both lots to Capt. Samuel Jordan, Rishworth 
Jordan, (his son,) and Joseph Poak of Scarboro' ; the 
latter taking one half, as his part of the purchase, on 
which he afterwards lived, since called Poak*s right. 

The strip of land in breadth from Nason's hill to Davis's 
brook, (which crosses the street near the store of Daniel 

*Th6 town of Westerly, R. I. waa formerly a part of Stonington^ 
Conn., from which it is separated by the river Pawcatnck. At a 
court nolden in Rhode Island by Jos. Dudley, President of New Engr. 
land, and three of the Council, 16d6, Mr. Pendleton was pretent at 
an iModato justice. 1 Mass. Hist. Coll. is. 83. v. SM7. 




210 HISTORY or SACO 

DeshoD, Esq.) was claimed, 171B, by John Hobbs of Bos- 
tDD, grandson of Christopher Hobbs, who bought of Maj. 
Phillips 1673. It was for many years the property of 
Col. John Tyng, of Tyngsboro, lilass., who died 1797. 

Such is as minute a description of the principal divis- 
ions and conveyances of land within the patent on the 
western side of the river, as it is consistent with our limits 
to admit. In relation to the commons, or town lands, it 
may be remarked that their extent on the river appears to 
have been to Clarke's brook, near the mouth of which ia 
a place called Bernps baekj which probably indicates the 
situation of 'Hhe house of Ambrose Berry," mentioned 
in the report of the Mass. Commissioners 1659. Some 
dispute or doubt seems to have existed in regard to the 
town's right, in 1738, when the deposition of Joseph Hill 
Esq. of Wells was taken, who stated, that having been 
born in Saco, as bis parents informed him, sixty seven 
years past, and lived there a considerable time, he always 
understood that the land which lay next the sea below 
Ambrose Berry, was consented to by Maj. Phillips to be 
at the town's disposal ; and that all the inhabitants in the 
patent above Berry, derived their title from Phillips, of 
whom there were then (1738) upwards of twenty fainilies.^ 

The improvements of Blackman and his associates on 
the eastern side of the river were probably abandoned 
during the Indian troubles. A few families may have 
lingered about the Falls, but there is no reason to sup- 
pose that the operations of the proprietors were condnu- 
ed. They laid the foundation on which an enterprising 
company now began to build. In October, 1716, Samuel 
Walker of New Jersey, sold his two thirds of the Black- 
man purchase to William Pepperell, junior, afterwards 
Sir William, who was then only twenty years of age, but 
was engaged in extensive business with his father, CoL 
Pepperell, at Kittery-point. The following year young 
Pepperell purchased the remaining third part of the tract 
from Thomas Goodwill of Boston, who seems to have 
derived the title from his wife Rebecca, probably a daugh- 
ter of Mr. Blackman. The bounds of the right are de- 
scribed in these as in the former deeds, including a pri- 
vilege for timber on 4500 acres northwest of the pur- 



t 



AHD 'BIDDBTOBD. 21 1 

ehase. Direetly after these transactions, Pepperell sold 
out two fourths of the whole tract to Nathaniel Weare 
of Hampton, millwright, and Humphry Scamman, junior, 
of this town, mariner, who together, in part payment, 
Erected a double sawmill on the site of the old JSIack- 
man mill, and a dwellinghouse for the accommodation of 
the milhnen, one half of which was to be the property of 
Pepperell. A division of the mill and of a lot of land 
adjoming, half a mile square, with a siBall reservation to 
be used in common, was made by the partners 16 De- 
cember, 1717. Pepperell took a breadth of 80 rods, 
comprehending the part of the present village east of 
Main street, to the lower fence of the burying ground ; 
Scamman 40 rods next below, and Weare 40 rods, to 
the brook near Pipe Stave, now Gray's, point. The 
whole tract, extending from Nichols's brook to the upper 
bounds of Gibbins's third division, a distance of 4^ 
miles, and in breadth not less than two miles, was divided 
SO C)ctober, 1718, in the following manner : First, Pep- 
perell began at Nichols's brook, ran 44 rods ; next Scam- 
man 22 rods, and Weare 22 rods; which brought them 
to Ghray's point, the lower side of the lot divided the year 
before. Tbe^ now extended the north east bounds of that 
lot to the middle line of the patent ; then beginning at its 
upper side, (on Main street,) they set off, following the 
river, to Weare 40 rods, Scamman 40, Pepperell 80 ; 
(extending back two miles ;) again, Pepperell 120, Scam- 
man 60, Weare 60 : Pepperell 120, Scamman 60, Weare 
60; Pepperell 120, Scamman 60, Weare 60; Pepper- 
ell 127, Scamman 67^, Weare 67jr, which completed 
the tract. A large rock in the river, above Little falls, 
narks the extent of the division, as now understood. 

Several ways or roads were laid out at the same time ; 
one 'Ho run from the mill northeast two miles to the mid- 
dle line of the patent, four rods wide," which is at pre- 
sent Mam street and the post road as far as the house of 
John Foss. Another was *Ho run southeast and north- 
west about half a mile from the river, four rods wide, 
through the whole division" ; now to a certain extent the 
Buxton and Ferry roads. ^'likewise a way by the river 
through all the aforesaid land as near as may be to the 



21S HIBTOKT or SACO 

river, with convenience for men and oxen to pass and 
pass ; as likewise we reserve liberty to bring timber any 
ways upon all the aforesaid land to the said mill or the 
river, without it be through a mowing field, or cornfield, 
or orchard." Landing places were also reserved for com* 
mon use : one opposite Jordan's, now Spring's, island, sub- 
sequently called Dennett's landing ; another near Tucker's 
wharf, which was long known as 'Pepperell's landing' ; 
and on Pipe Stave point. 

The privilege of cutting timber on the land northwest 
of the purchase, being J. Bonython's Second division, 
was also divided by the proprietors. Pepperell took the 
upper half of the tract, Weare the next quarter, and 
Scamman the lower quarter. Landings were established 
on the river side of this privilege, from which roads led 
into the woods. The valuable island opposite to the mill, 
since well known as Cutts's or Factory island, was claimed 
by the proprietors under the name of Indian island, which, 
however, seems to have been attached to the Phillips 
estate, with the name of 'Bonython's island."* The di* 
vision of the mill was as follows : "Pepperell takes the 
saw and frame next to the land, and the piling place next 
to the land; and the saw. and frame next to the river, 
said Weare and said Scamman are to have, and the piling 
place on the rock next to the river ; each owner of said 
saw is to maintain and keep in order his running gear and 
saw and all that belongs to each frame. As to the house, 
said Pepperell has the eastern half, and said Weare and 
Scamman are to have the western half." The house 
built for the proprietors has long since disappeared. A- 
nother erected about 1720 by Capt. Scamman, one story 
high, with a gable roof, was sold by his son to Mr. Ror 
bert Gray 1744, who added another story soon after, in. 
which state it is still occupied by his grandson, Jamec^ 
Gray, Esq. This venerable mansion, the oldest now stan— - 



*The sale of i of this island to Bon^thon by Phillipe 1667, fen 
qnantiiy of lo^, lias been already mentioned, p. 1G9. The island wa 
di7ided between them the same year, when "the half next the Bf ^b. 
loir's hoase" was assigned to him, and the remainder to Bonytho^ai 
Thn Island is not mentioned in the deeds to or from Blackman. 




sam BiDDSFOu. 2W 

4ing in SacOy with its high steep roof, is the most coii9pi'* 
cuous object in ascending the river, above the Narrows, 
being placed on an eminence from which a wide view is 
jeooimanded. It was for a considerable period protected 
ftwB the ravages of the Indians by a strong garrison waU 
with flankers. Capt. Scamman was the only one of the 
proprietors resident in town, and continued to carry on 
ihe mill until his death, which took place in 1734, at the 
nge of fifty eight years. His father, as already stated, 
died a few years before. The children of tlie former, 
bom 1715-29, were Mary, Sarah, who married Joseph 
Hanson of Dover 1737, Humphry, removed to Kittery 

1744, and lived to an advanced age, Dominicus, James, 
Nathaniel, Benjamin, both of whom died at Cape Breton, 

1745, and Jeremiah, died in infancy. The estate of 
Capt. Scamman, soon after his decease, was divided a* 
mong his children. 

A division of the Foxwell estate among the heirs and 
their assigns took place 1732. The lower checker set 
oflT to Foxwell and Harmon in^the division of the Patent^ 
^ras divided into two equal parts by a northwest line, run- 
ning from the sea to the head of the checker, a distance 
of two miles and fifty rods : of which the part on the 
south west being left to the heirs of Harmon, the remain- 
jog half, one mile in breadth, was allotted to the Foxwell 
heirs. A narrow strip only of the latter now lies in Saco, 
including a lot 70 rods wide, assigned to Pepperell as 
Ae representative of Mrs. Corbain, heiress of Nathaniel 
Foxwell, and another of 35 rods, Mrs. Norton's portion ; 
«o much have the bounds of Scarboro' advanced into the 
Mginal Saco township. The lots were laid out in length 
lirom the marsh (which was separately divided) to the head 
4»f the checker, 518 rods. The eastern moiety of the 
-npper Foxwell and Harmon checker, was* distributed in- 
to lots running from the patent line to the middle of the 
checker ; the lowest lot, 123 rods wide, was assigned to 
Peppereh ; the next, 91^, to the heirs of Lucretia Rob- 
inson ; the next, 9H, to the heirs of Mary Norton ; the 
next, 91jr, to the heirs of Sarah Curtis; the next, 91j^, 
to the heirs of Esther Rogers ; the next, 91^, to Susan- 
nah Austin* The Pepperell lot, being the inheritance of 

19 



1 



Sl4 fllSTOKT or SACO 

Nathaniel Fozwell, was a double portioD. The dividing 
Kne between Saco and Scarboro*, as it now runs, leaves 
about two thirds of the division in the latter town. 

The division of the Cribbins estate 1730, has been 
noticed in a preceding chapter. Beside hnds Ijring 
near the mouth of the river, the two checkers on the 
eastern side of the Patent, being Gibbins's Second and 
Fourth divisions, were then as^gned to the heirs. The 
former checker was divided into four lots, each measor- 
ing 147 rods on the patent line ; of which the lowest 
was assigned to Rebecca Wake6eld and Patience Amia- 
ble ; the next to Hannah Mace ; the next to Rachd 
Edgecomb ; the next, being the head of the checker, to 
Elizabeth Sharpe. '^Moreover," say the Commissionersi 
^e do agree that the stream [FoxwelPs brook] and the 
falls which are known by the name of FoacwelPs JUUf 
which bebng to the heirs of Hannah Mace, Rebecca 
Wakefield, and Patience Annable, equally in quanti^ and 
quality, to be divided when tliey shall see cause to set up 
a mill or mills.** The upper checker, now called the Mc 
Kinney district, was left in common to the heirs at that 
time. 

In 17^, administration was granted on the estate of 
John Bonytbon, nearly fifty years after his decease, and 
a division was made to the heirs of his five children. The 
administrators brought in 5000 acres of land, valued at 
18f. per acre, comprising nearly the two checkers set off 
to him in the division of the Patent. The heirs, one of 
whom was Patience Collins, wife of John Collins, and on- 
ly surviving child of John Bonytbon jr., sold out to James 
Skinner, James Morgan, and Humphry Scamman, im* 
mediately after the division. The premises were again 
divided, 1735, by Skinner, Morgan, and the heirs of Scarti* 
man. The third part of the upper checker adjoining 
the head line of the Patent, was assigned lo Skinner ^ 
the next to the heirs of Scamman ; the last to Morgan.— 
The lower checker, excepting the part lying above Nich- 
ols's brook, was divided in a similar manner. 



AND BIDBEFOBD. 216 



CHAPTER 11. 

No other single cause so much retarded the growth, 
Vid checked the general prosperity of the town, as its ex- 
posure to the barbarous inroads of the Indians. It was 
still a frontier settlement, and hardly were the inhabitants 
quietly seated again on their lands, (with a considerable 
accession of numbers, however, from various quarters,) 
before the country was involved in another contest with 
the savage enemy, as destructive as any former one. 
The French government being rendered uneasy by the 
extension of the fjiglish settlements in the eastern coun» 
try, after the peace of 1713, secretly promised to sup- 
jiy the Indians with arms and ammunition if they would 
renew hostilities. Their principal agent in this business 
was die celebrated Ralle, a French Jesuit, who had liv* 
ed nearly forty years among the Indians at Norridgewock. 
The governor of Canada kept up a correspondence with 
this priest, who informed him of the movetnents of the 
Indians. The English inhabitants were alarmed by the 
attempts made to excite the Indians to war, and the threats 
thrown out by them from time to time, till at length, in- 
duced by their representations. Gov. Shute, in the year 
1717, summoned a conference at Arrowsick, a well 
kncRvn island in the Kennebec. By dint of promises and 
conciliatory speeches, the storm was averted for the pre- 
meat. But three years after, some depredations being 
comoiitted on the eastern settlements, fresh alarm spread 
through the province. Col. Walton of Somersworth, N. 
H. was sent down with a small body of men. The gar- 
risons were also reinforced. No further mischief was 
<lone, however, that season. The next summer (1721) 
a conference of the French, and Indians was held on 
Arrowsick, attended by Father Ralle, young Castine of 
Penobscot, son of the late Baron, and Croisil, an agent 
from Canada. Great numbers of Indians were present. 
Capt. Penhallow, commander of the English fort on the 
island, likewise attended ; to whom a letter was deliver- 
cd, addressed to Gov. Shute, in the name of the several 
tribes, in which they, threatened to kill the English and 



^16 HUTOBT OF SJMQ 

burn their houses, unless they removed within three weeks 
fix)m the settlements, on the eastern side of the Kennebec. 
No other notice was taken of this menace, than to send 
re-inforcements, and invite another conference. But the 
following winter a parQr, commanded by Col. Thomas 
Westbrook, was despatched to Norridgewock to seize 
the Jesuit ; they succeeded only in capturing a box of 
papers, Ralle escaping into the woods. The contents of 
the box affi)rded abundant proofs of his exertions to in- 
flame the minds of the Indians against the English inhabi- 
tants^ in favor of the French. The ensuing summer, 1722| 
hostilities commenced with the capture of .nine families 
near Merrymeeting bay on the Kennebec by a party which 
was composed of sixty men in twenty canoes ;* no blood 
was shed. A few weeks after, a furious attack was made 
on Brunswick, where the houses were chiefly burned* 
On receiving this news, the. Governor and Council issued 
a formal declaration of war, proclaiming "the Eastern In- 
dians, with their confederates, robbers, traitors, and ene- 
mies to King George." Forces were immediately order- 
ed to be sent into the County of York, to be stationed in 
garrisons; the number of men assigned to Biddeford was 
twenty. 

Early the next year, 1723, the Indians commenced a 
series of cruel depredations in this part of the county, 
and on the frontier towns of New Hampshire. They 
made a sudden attack on Scarboro' in April, and killed 
several of the inhabitants ; amons them was Sergeant 
Chubb, whom the Indians mistook for Capt. Harmon of 
York, a distinguished warrior. Chubb fell pierced by no 
less than eleven bullets out of fifteen aimed at him. In 
June they attacked the garrison of Roger Deering, Esq. 
in the same town, killed his wife, and took three of his 
children, who were picking berries ; two soldiers of the 
garrison were killed at the same time. 

During this summer Mary, a daughter of Capt. Hum- 

^'The canoe of an Eastern Indian ia usaally of sufficient dimen-' 
siens to contain a family of six or eight persons. The warriors were 
generally accompanied by their women and children in their hostile 
eneditions. There is a singular error on this subject in the late ei« 
eaflent ediUon of Winthrop. i. 59. 



AND BUN>EFDB9. 817 

Sry SctBiman, was taken by the Indians while visiting a 
nity connection in Scarborough^ John Hunnuel and 
Rob. Jordan were majde prisoners the same day.^ Mary, 
who was but eight or nine years of age at that time, was 
carried to Canada, where, it is said, being a bright girl» 
«he attracted the attention of Vaudreil, the goiremor, who 
received her into his family. Here she remained sever? 
al years, and was carefully educated in the Roman Catho- 
lic faith, while her father was profoundly ignorant of lier 
situation. She was at length married io Mons. Dunioir 
eour, a gentleman of Quebec ; after wfait^h event infor- 
mation of the lost child reached the family. Soon aftefr 
the intdligence was received, Hjuippbij Scammab, a 
kodier of Mary, performed a journey to Qujdbec, tbrou^ 
the wilderness, for die purpose of inducing hj^r to re- 
mm. He met with a kind reception from his sister, and 
lier husband, who was a man of hand£ome estate and liv- 
led in splendour, as Humphry afterwards reported. He 
lemonstated with her on the subject of her religion, but 
«H to no purpose ; nor was she at all disposed to return 
cWith bim to the place of her nativity, irom which so 
^ong a residence among the French bad completely weanr 
fid ber affections. Several years later, 1 779, Mr. Ebene- 
4»r Ayer, a connection of the family, was at Quebec, and 
-^Doade enquiries for Mary, but she was no longer living. 
iHer portion of the estate of Capt. Scamman, which had 
_ _ 

*Tlie following Aircumstaiicefl relating to a person of the former 

jMUDoe {HnnDBweil) are told by Rev. Kfr. Tilton. in a MS. account of 

JSofM^toro*. '< While mowioff on the marsli he niscovered the move- 

i&ants of some Indians on Kae-poiht.' &epar^i,ted from them by the 

riTer and a considerable body of marsh, he concluded -he could noi 

4m in d'aiijger.' I|e Ha't placed his gun by a staddle [stac|i of hAyJ 

^d moving at a distance from it, an Indian unperceived by .him, had 

crqM^ the river, and under its ban^ crept up tnrouffh the thatch a^ 

Mcured his gun. Mr. Hunnewell, at length seeing his desperate situa- 

Jlion, eontiniied his mowing as if he had not dibcnvored'the Indifi^, 

Jfcill he faiad adv^moed within a few yards of him, .when he suddenly 

'•prong forward with his scythe^ and so roared out at the Indium 

jkb&tne liad jio xommand af his £mi, Jind jetreating JuicluEaxds Jis 

Mr. Hunnewell advanced, steppeq into a hole and fell. Mr. H- cut 
liiin off with his scythe, and holding up and brandishing it in view of 
'lh0 Indians, who had already begun their shouts on the other side, 
*chaUeng*Kl them to come over, and he wpnld serve them in theiiaiao 

tttttner." " ^ " '" 

19» 



SIS annroiiT 99 sj^oo 

'been set off to her, was divided at a recetit period among 
the other heirs ; it is called the Canada lot.* 

Col. Thomas Westbrook was appointed to command 
ibe forces in Maine the same year. He came to Wimer 
Harbor with a body of men m May, and supplied Fort 
Mary and the garrisons in the town with men and provi* 
sions. The fort was commanded at that time by CapC. 
Ward. The following extracts from the journal of Ciri. 
Westbrook, furnish an account of his operations at this 
place. ^'May 8. Arrived at Wimer Harbor ; supplied 
Capt. Ward whh provisions and other stores for hi6Com«- 
mny. Lieut. Dominicus Jordan being here, aupplied 
him with 76 days' provisions for five men posted at his 
garrison at Spurwink. May 9. Supplied Richard Stimii- 
. son with provisions for five men posted at his garrison ior 
76 days. Proceeded to visit the several garrisons in the 
town, accompanied by the principal part of the inhabi- 
tants, with wnom I consulted the properest method lo be 
taken for the security of the inhabitams. Retnmed 
through the woods to Mr. Samuel Jordan's. On my re- 
turn gave Capt. Ward orders to post men at the several 
garrisons as follows : at Mr. Hill's 3 ; at Stackpole's 4 ; 
«t Tarbox's 4 ; at Dyer's 3 ; at Capt. Sharp's 3. Tlie 
men were ordered to obey the commands of the masten 
of the garrisons where they were posted, doing their d»- 
fy of walcbmg and warding until further order, and BOt 
to absent themselves at any time without liberty. May 
10. Posted four men at John Brown's garrison mt Saco 
Falls; supplied him with provisions, and ammanitiom 
Sabbath day, 12tb. Rev. Mr. Eveleth preadied two ser- 
mons at the Fort." 

Of the garrisons mentioned in the Journal, Hill's was 
^n Ferry lane, between the house of Capt I. Lassell and 
the main road. Stackpole's was on the q>ot where Judge 
Jordan afterwards erected a house, no^ occupied by hii# 
SOD Ralph Tristram Jordan, Esq. Dyer!s and T«rbox'j 



*The above account appears to be the most authentie traifilion 
the subject, for which we are indebted to one of the fiunil/j who I 
often heard Hnmpbrj Scamman relate the storj of his visit litJii-^ 
lonff lost and 'wept* sister. The name of Mary's husband Is pronoaw ■* 
CM /htameoor ; we are not certain as to its orthographj. 



Attn Bi»i>Kroi»; 219 

MiTUoni wefn in the lower part of the town near tbe 
JrooL Capt. Sharpe lived on Rendezvous-point', nisar 
Hi^ey's gut. The cellar of his house is still visible. In 
• disposition of other forces made the same year, it was 
ordered that ^45 men and a sergeant be posted at Saco 
Falls, six of them on the east side of the nver in the garw 
lison, and the others on tbe west side." The garrisoo 
€n tbe eastern side was probably that of John Brown, and 
Eppeara to have been situated where the store of Mr. 
Jonathan King now stands. Within the recollection of 
persons of not very advanced age, the remains of a forti^ 
fication have been seen on that spot, which was called 
Fort hill. The ground has been since much levelled. 

Early the Bext year, 1734, Father Ralle and the In- 
jfian vinage at Norridgewock were destroyed. The fate 
^ of the Jesuit was truly tragical, but not undeserved ; his 
influence had been used to encourage the barbarous as-* 
V aahs of tbe Norridgewocks on tbe defenceless setde* 
loenita, in execution of tbe policy of the French govern^ 
vnent. The enterprise was conducted by Capts. JohiW 
mQ Harmon and Jeremiah filoulton,«bodi of York, ac 
the bead of two hundred men. 

In May, the Indians after killing one man and wound- 
iog another at Cape Elizabeth, came to this place ; but, 
lAe inbadbitants being well secured in their garrisons, thejr 
Mcoeeded only m taking tbe life of a friendly native, 
- named David Hill. We hear of no other mischief done 
-here during tbe Temainder of the war, of which we can 
tuaign dM exact dale. Mr. John Stackpole, father of the 
late Deacon Stackpole, was made prisoner under tbe fol- 
lowing circumstances. He was taken on tbe beach lead- 
ing to the Neck ; espying the Indians at a distance, be 
mn into tbe Pool, and attempted to wade across ; but one 
^ the party, said to have been the noted Wabwa, who 
mnM well known to Stackpole, pursued him, crying out, 
^Bo9n quarter^ John ! boon quarter /^' meaning that he 
urould spare his life. Unable to escape, Stackpole yield- 
ed himself a prisoner. Tbe -party took him to Canada, 
Casing a winter on the way in the wilderness near the 
hrte mountains. He returned after an absence of 10 
Boonths. Nathaniel Tarbox and Thomas Hdey were 









) 



SB30 nsTomv or' saoo 

Idlled at Winter Harbor in the course of the war ; thf 
former was quite young. 

In 17259 occurred the celebrated afiair of Capt. LoveH 
«nd his company with the Pequawket Indians, on the 
shore of a pond in Fryeburg, which now bears the name 
of the ill-fated hero. One of the survivors of this des- 
perate battle, Josiah Jones, having been badly wounded, 
was left by his companions at a short distance from the 
scene of the action, in despair of his ability to return ; 
but Jones gathering strength, succeeded in 6nding his 
way through the wilderness, subsisting on berries anc) 
roots, and arrived after several days at this place. He 
was wretchedly emaciated by hunger, and almost exr 
bausted from the loss of blood, having been uuaUe to 
etaunch his wounds completely before he came in. *'He 
was kindly treated," says the author of a valuable account 
•of the battle, "by the people at Saco, and recovered of 
bis wounds.'^* The Pequawkets were never formidable 
•as a tribe after this time ; the renmant of them that re* 
•mained about the head of Saco river, became pensioners 
An the bounty of •government, and have at length sunk in- 
to total extinction. The last of the race died several 
years since. ' 

In the course of the year, commissioners were seial: 
^y Mass. to Canada, to remonstrate with the governor 
.of that province on his violation of the neutrality existing 
jietween England and France. An interview took place 
itt the same time, by the mediation of the gpvenior, ber 
iween the commissioners and several dhi^s of the lor 
-dians ; the latter modestly proposed, "that if the Engiisb 
•would demolish all their forts, and remove one mile westr 
«Rard of Saco river, rebuild their church at fjorridger 
fwock and restore to them their priest^ thev would be bror 
dhers again.*' It is unnecessary to say that such tenw 
jir«re not regarded as a secious proposition for f>eace. A 
(treaty was, however,,made, in December, with the Penqb- 
4M20t and the other eastern tribes, and confirmed the followr 

'^Rer. T.Symmes, of Bradford,. Mass. See, also, Belknup. Hiai.. 
lIV. H.'U.53.«nd a-Geptennial Address, coqamemonLting ^e batlla^ 
4WiKer%d.at^rJel}^rJ^.la35, hy.C.S.Daveis, E^q. of FortUnd. 



AND BIBOEFORd.' 221 

i Dg summer at Falmouth, where Lieut. Grov. Dummer, 
the acting Governor of Mass. Bay, Messrs. Wentworth 
of New Hampshire, and Mascarene of Nova Scotia^ 
with other gentlemen, met the Penobscot chief, who ap- 
peared in behalf of all the tribes.* 

This treaty was considered the most judicious that had 
ever been made with the Indians,f and was followed by 
a long cessation of hostilities. As the Pent' icot chief 
alone was present, it was considered necessary to call 
another conference at the same place the succeeding 
year ; when the sachems of the other tribes appeared, 
and gave their assent to the articles of the treaty. Among 
the persons who signed the treaty on the part of the gov- 
ernment, we find the name of Samuel Jordan, of this 
town.]; The war, which bad lasted three years, was 
computed to have cost the Grovernment of Mass. Bay no 
less than £170,000. The savases Ipst at least one tbir4 
of their whole strength.^ The Indians were promised in 
the treaty to have tradinghouses established, for supplying 
them with goods, in exchange for furs and other commo- 

*The Rev. Thomas Smith was Uien the minister of Falmouth ; 
^om whoee journal, pablished a few years since, we extract the fol- 
lowing notices of the negotiation of the treaty. 

<*Julj 15, 1796. The New Hampshire (rentleroen came here in a 
liri^f. 16. The Mass. ffentiemen came here in the evening, and h'e 
t>elow. 17. Sunday. The gentlemen all at meeting. In the mor- 
^Qff the gentlemen came on shore and made considerable appearance 
'with their drums and guns. The governor [Dammer] guarded in 
pomp to meeting. 22. The gentlemen spent this week entirely idle 
waitmg for the Indians. 23. The Indians came here from Penobscot 
on a message to the government, and were sent away in the after- 
noon. —•The Lieut Gov., with the gentlemen, sailed up the bay. 
S9. This morning the gentlemen returned from Arowsick [Kenne- 
bec.] ^ The Indians to the number of 40, all of the Penobscot ftilie, 
came in here. In the afternoon the Congress opened. August 1. 
There was a public dinner. 2. Several days were spent in private 
treatiasy to pave the way for the public ratifications. 4. All private 
oonierenees were finished this day. 5. The ratification of the peace 
was publiely done this day in the meeting house. 6. Some afiairs 
relating to the ratification that were left unsettled yesterday, were 
this day finished, and all concluded with a public dinner. 8. The N. 
H. gentlemen sailed. 10. This week spent in interpreting to the In- 
ffians the journal of all their actions, and in fully settling some other 
matters. 12. The governor and other <;entlemen sailed this day for 
Boston. Capt Franklin carried the Indians to St. Goorores.'* 
tHutch. Hist. u. 2d7. fN. H. liist. Coll. ii. 261. § ^enhallow. 



I 



\5tSL HI8T0BY OF SACO 

dities of their own procuring. Tbe same promise had 
been made by Gov. Shute ten years before, but the Gen- 
eral Court made no provision for its performance. This 
measure was now carried into effect. - The General 
Court passed resolves, for establishing tradinghouses on the 
rivers St. Greorges,* Kennebec, and Saco. Lieut. Gov- 
ernor Dummer, in his speech 1727, informed the House 
'Hhat he bad received a pressing letter from Agam- 
muet, the Principal of the Arrasagunsacook lodiaos* 
diat appeared at tne late tieaty, that there may. be a sta- 
ted supply for that tribe at Winter Harbor" ; and recom- 
mended that place or some other on Saco river for the 
purpose. The House fixed on Fort Mary, at Winter 
Harbor. A memorial from Capt. James Woodside, com- 
mander of Fort Mary, was presented at tbe same time, 
showing that said Fort was out of repair, ^*of whipb," 
says the memorial, "His Honor, the Lieut. Governor, 
was aware when there last summer."f The Court pas^ 
sed an order, empowering Capt. Samuel Jordan to attend 
to this subject. Capt. Woodside was tbe first truckmas* 
ter, or superintendent of the tradinghouse. An attempt 
was made to have him dismissed from the charge, as "un- 
fit and disagreeable to tbe Indians," but without success. 
At the winter session of the court, 1727-8, a petition 
was presented from John Stackpole in behalf of himself 
and sundry other inhabitants, against the tradinghouse be- 
ing near the sea, and praying that it may be further re* 
moved from the town. The subject was referred to a 
committee, who reported in favor of removing the truck- 
house to Salmon Falls, "8 or 9 miles above the old stone 
fort, on the west side of Saco river." They also recom* 
mended to erect a building 55 feet long, 27 feet wide, 
and nine feet stud ; to be composed of square pine tim- 
ber, nine inches thick, together with a storehouse for 
safely keeping the goods. The report was accepted. 
The plan was carried into effect tbe following season, oi 
a spot now in Hollis, \ mile below Union Falls. A ser 
geant with a guard of ten men was stationed there. 



*Oa U>e upper part of AndroBcogg^n river. tMMt. R>ecordi. 






aud biddeford. 238 

die protection of the trade. The truckroaster received 
t salary of £130. A chaplain was also appointed, who 
probably visited the other tradinghouses. An order 
passed, directing the treasurer of the Province to sup- 
ply goods to the amount of £800. Capt. Thomas Smith, 
a merchant, of Boston, was appointed truckmaster as 
early as 1737.* He was father of the Falmouth minister, 
whose journal we have quoted. Under date July, 1739^ 
the latter says : '*The Governor lodged at my father's 
trackhouse this night." Again : "Dec. 21, 1740. I rode 
to Saco, lodged with my father at Smith's, [tavern] who 
was forced out of his own lodgings by vast quantities of 
ice, which jambed and raised the water 18 inches higher 
than his bedstead." There had been *a great freshet' a 
few days before. The Truckhouse was on the bank of 
the river, and liable to be inundated. The tavern at 
^bich they lodged, was kept by Capt. Daniel Smith, who 
fived near the upper meetinghouse in Biddeford, where 
Mr. Joseph Dearbon's house now stands. Capt. Thomas 
Smith died, probably 9t bis son's house in Falmouth, 
Feb. 18, 1742.t 



CHAPTER in. 



The Rev. Mathew Short was preaching at Winter Har- 
bor OQ the re-organization of the town 1717. A petition 
of. the inhabitants to the General Court 1720, states, 
that '^whereas this court has been pleased for some time 
to allow the sum of 40L a year for the support of their 
minister^ who is likewise chaplain of his Majesty's Fort 
at Winter Harbor, the said allowance is still necessary^ 
said town being poor and thin of inhabitants." The same 
sum was granted several years. A small grant (40 acres) 
fiom the town to Mr. Short, was laid out in 1721. He 
soon after removed to Easton, Mass., and died before 



*Maaa. Reoordf. t Joumal. 83. 



SS4 91STORT OF aACO 

1731. He sold his land in Biddeford, 130 acres in alli 
lo Rev. Thomas Foxcroft of Boston, 1726, by whom it 
was afterwards conveyed to Rev. Samuel Willard. The 
births of two children of Mathew and Margaret Short, 
are recorded in the town-book, viz. Mathew, 20 April, 
1719 ; Ebeneser, 21 March, 1721. Mr. Short gradua- 
ted at Harvard College, 1707. 

The next minister was Rev. John Eveleth ; who took 
bis collegiate degree at Harvard 1689. He preached at 
Stow, Mass. 1700, and was settled there a few years af« 
ter.* Being dismissed from thiat place 1717, he afters- 
wards preached at Manchester, Mass., and in 1719, came 
to Arundel (now Kennebunk-port.^ March 4, 1723| 
Seamman and Hill were appointed ny our townsmen **to 
discourse with Mr. Eveleth and the selectmen of Arun- 
del," to know whether the consent of both parties 6ould 
be attained for him to divide his services equally between 
Arundel and Biddeford for one year. The proportion 
was accented, and the town voted him i&26 for the half 
year. Mr. Eveleth continued to preach in this manner 
until 1726, when the town determined to have a whole 
minister. Three years after he was dismissed from Ar^ 
undel, and discontinued preaching,f being somewhat ad- 
vanced in years. 

Mr. Eveleth was succeeded by Rev. Marston Cabot, a 
graduate of harvard 1724. He came to this town 1727, 
but declined settling, although ofiered a good stipend, viz. 
£80 per annum, and board ; and "when he should see 
•cause to alter his condition, to keep house, then the town 
promises to build and give him a convenient house as a 
parsonage and 100 acres of land, or to give bim £110,. 
and let bim provide for himself.'* He remained about^ 
two years, living with CapU Samuel Jor3an, who wa^ 
|Hiid £35 a year for his board. Mr. Cabot afterwardflP- 
settled in Killingly, Conn.| 

In Sept. 1728, the town voted '^hat Mr. Moees Hals 
be sent to, to dispense the word of God, if to bo obtaim* 
ed" ; probably the same graduated 1 723. He did ooC 
^^^^^^^_^_^_^__ — •* 

*1 Man. Hut GoU. X. 63. f Greenleaf. EeeL SketolMB. 60. 

tFarmer. BfS. lettsr. 



AND BIPDETORD. 835 

fSorne* Mir. John Moody was preaching here early the 
j^llowing year. At the April meeting, the trustees were 
ordered to pay him i&20 of the town's loan money. In 
Jupe, a committee composed of John Gray, Esq. H. 
iScamraan, Capt. S. Jordan, Lieut. J. Stackpole, and J, 
Davis, was chosen to wait on Mr. Moody, and know 
whether he was willing to settle in the town. He decli- 
ned the invitation, '*by reason he was too young and wan- 
ted further acquaintance of learning at some college." 
Jklr, Moody was a native of Newbury, and was subse- 
quently, from 1730 to 1778, the minister of Newmarket, 
N. H. On receiving his answer, the town appointed Mr. 
Scaioman ''a messenger to treat immediately with some 
other minister to come and preach the word of God in 
this town." Three months after, Sept. 2, 1729, a com- 
jgaittee was instructed to invite ''the continuance of Mr. 
Wiu«iJU> to preach the gospel unto the inhabitants of this 
town with the same salary that has been paid to other 
idinisters." 

In January, the town voted to call Mr. Willard ; the 
Invitation was renewed in May in the following terms : 
^'Yoted that Rev. Samuel Wiilard shall have (if be please 
to accept) the sum of £110 salary, the strangers' con- 
tribution, and the town to build him a parsonage house, 
together with the benefit and improvement of 100 acres 
of parsonage land, and to board himself during his minis- 
try. Voted that Capt. John Gray Esq., Capt. Samuel 
Jordan, and John Stackpole be chosen a committee to 
desire the Rev. Mr. Samuel Willard's answer." 

The answer of Mr WHlard was as follows :— ^'GeKtlemefi — Three 
or fiMir months ago you were pleased at a townraeeiin g to invite me 
to settle amongst you as your pastor or minister, and lately at another 
towmneeting you ratified the said call, for which I haye already, and 
jdo now return you my hearty thanks. And as I understand that the 
jnajority, and indeed a great majority of you, are desirous of m^ be- 
ing ■QtUed amongst you in the work of the ministry, so accordingly 
I Accept your invitation upon the conditions followmg, or upon con- 
fbtioiiB equivalent with tnem ; First, that the house you build be a 
fK^nvexiient commodious house, such as is suitable to a minister to 
live in, and of the same dimensions that most parsonage houses are. 
tieeondly, that you wMl always repair the house whenever it stands 
in need <^ reparation at your own charge. Thirdly, that you will 
always maintain at your own charge the fence that may be necessary 
to enclose the jparsonage ground, both which are always done by the 
rtspeetive Pftiuhes where such house and lands are. Fouxthly ; that 

20 



S26 HISTORY or SACO 

joo will grant me some tract of land or money to porchaae it for mjrr 
■elf and assigns, to be wholly mine and theirs ; and I think also thin 
is very reasonable for every minister is doubtless as desirous as any 
other man to leave something of his own in ease he sees meet to 
change a single state for the other, to be possessed by his relict, or 
any heir, heirs or assigns. Fifthly : that you will not contract or 
lessen five pounds of my salary. This also I conceive to be reasonn- 
hle, for you gave five pounds to me hitherto, and I suppose to the 
other candidates that were my predecessors, per annum, on purpose 
to find them an horse ; and now because I have bought an horse is it 
altogether consistent with equity to take away that sum ; for I sop- 
pose my horse will eat as much as [anv] man's commonly speaking, 
and consequently he will stand in need of five pounds worth of keep- 
ing per annum as well as any other. Sixthly : That if God in hw 
holy Providence should see good to exercise me with a continued 
■ickneas or pain, or loss of the Tree use of my reason and understand- 
ing so as to disable me from carrying on preaching and prayer in the 
house of God, I may notwithstanding have my support continued to 
me by you during my continuance in this town in the pastoral offico. 
This also seems to me very reasonable, for if I spend myself and am 
iment amongst you, ought I not to be considered m all circumstances. 
Thus, Gentlemen, you see the conditions of my acceptance of the in- 
vitation. Thus jTou see how affirmative my answer is. As I told 
3rou I desire nothing but what I and every impartial person would 
think reasonable : Agur*s prayer, neither poverty nor riches, but 
food and raiment convenient for me. Hereupon I hope God ^ 
mighty will succeed my labors amonrst you, that both you and I may 
have joy and comfort here and hereaiter together. I pray God that 
you all may be happy in this world, but especially in the world to 
eome. I am. Gentlemen, your sincere firiend and homble servant. 

SAMUEL WILLARD.'^ 

The proposals of Mr. Willard, ^'all and singular, were 
voted in the affirmative" by the town. 

There is no record of a congregational Chubch being 
gathered in the town before this period ; but it is proba- 
ble that one existed under the ministry of Mr. Fletcher 
in the preceding century, as several of the inhabitants 
are known to have been members of churches. A short 
time previous to the ordination of Mr. Willard, the foK' 
lowing individuals associated themselves together for this 

Surpose, and constituted the First Church in Biddeford : 
obn Gray, Samuel Jordan, HumphryScammaD, Ebene- 
zer Hill, John Sbarpe, Pendleton Fletcher, Benjamin 
Haley, Thomas Gilpatrick, Samuel Hinckley, Beniamia 
Hilton, John Tarr, Robert Whipple, Mark Shepherd. 
Messrs. Hill and Haley were chosen deacons. The fol- 
lowing record of their proceedings at that time, is the 
only one preserved. "Friday, Aug. 14, 1730, Mr. H|^ 
ley voted moderator by the brethren of the church. 1. 



AN0 BIDDEFORD. S2T 

The ordinition of Mr. Samuel Millard was Toted to be 
the last Wednesday of September. 2. Voted to send to 
the churches of Falmouth, Scarborough, Wells, York, 
Berwick, and Weymouth. 3. Voted that Mr. Haley, 
Mr. Hill 8ec. be the signers to the letters to these churches. 
4. Voted that the selectmeri be desired to call a town* 
meetbg for their concurrence." 

The following is an extract from a letter written by 
Mr. Willard at this time, to the lady whom he married 
ibortly after, dated, 

"Biddeford, Satarday, AugutH ISth, 1730. 
'fa my laat Letter to you, I told you that they were quickly to 
htfre a Town Meeting here, to know whether the People would com- 
^ with the Terms that I offered them, and acconlingly they did 
eomply with them, one Person of the meeting only diaeentinf , two 
er three being neuter. And they did then appoint a Fast previooo 
to iny Ordination, which (Fast) 'was yesterday. The work of the 
day was carried on by Mr. Thompson and Mr. Jeffords, two neighbor- 
ing miiiisterB. The Brethren who are to enter into a Church Socia- 
tf did yesterday appoint the day of my Ordination to be the last 
WedoMday of next Month. I intend the week after to be at Rot* 
land, when, I hope, to be happy with you. I exceedingly long to hear 
ftom yoQ, especially since Col. Taylor has sent an Express down in- 
to these Pkrts to be carefbl of ourselves, because he says the Indians 
4o appear in a threatening posture near Rutland. I pray God pre- 
▼ent tnose bloody Peoplo from war with us ; and that be would pro- 
teet all onr exposed Towns and all exposed Persons from their Bar- 
barities." 

The ordination of Mr. Willard accordingly took place 
on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1730, when a Council conven- 
<Bd, composed of Rev. Thomas Smith of Falmouth ; Rev. 
William Thompson of Scarboro' ; Hev. Samuel Jefierds 
of Wells ; Rev. Samuel Moody of York ; Rev. Jere- 
miah Wise of Berwick, and Rev. Thomas Paine, of 
We|ymouth. The sermon was preached by Mr. Paine, who 
took for his text Acts xxvi. 17, 18. It was soon after 
pruned at Boston.* The town voted to defray all the 

' 'Entitled «A 8«mum Pleached at the Gatherinf of the Chorch tt 
Biddrf&rdj and Ordainini; the Rev. Mr. SamuU Willard^ to the Pas- 
toral Office there. Sept. 30, 1730. With marffmal notes &c. By 
Tkomaa Paine, M. A. Pastor of a Church in WeynunUk, fioeton: 
Printed for D. Htechman in Comhil. MDCCXXaI." P>«es, j{/ky 
•M. It was cuatomary for candidates for the ministry to be present 
.on these occasions. Mr. Paine addresses this class of his hearers in 
the following classical style : "Make it the Matter of your most firo- 
jpient, deep and awful Examination, whether ^ou are really prepared 
la the great Point, beforeyoo dare engage in that sacred Work . 
This is a most necessary Thing for yon, as happy Ministers ; and if 
yoa neglect it, the idMtrous Pagans will riso op in Judgment agaiiw t 




HI8TOBT OF SiJM 

•ipenses of the ordmatioa. The salary of Mr. WiDwrd, 
At first i&i 10 per annum, was aftervrards increased by ad- 
ditions from year to year, until it amounted to i&175. His 
dwelGogbouse was a few rods .below where Mr.. Domini* 
«us Gillpatrick now lives ; the cellar is stiB seen. The 
frarsonage land was laid out there. In 17S2, the town 
yoted 'Hhat Mr. John Gordon prefer a petition in behalf 
•f the inhabitants of the town to the Great and General 
Court of the Province of the Mass. Bay, that all the non- 
improved lands in propriety in the aforesaid township be 
taxed as they shall in their wisdom see meet for the ends 
that followeth : for building of our minister's house, and 
payment of the schoolmaster." The court granted a tax 
of id. per acre for tliree years. 

A meeting house was built by the town a short time 
previous to the settlement of Mr. Willard. In 1719, the 
selectmen were empowered to agree with a master buil* 
der, and to exchange common lands for a lot owned by 
Mr. Benj. Haley, ^for the meetinghouse and a burying 
Diace, and a sufficient high way to the ministerial lot 
Haley's deed to the town, (recorded in the townbook,) 
describes the bounds of the land as ^'beginning at a spring 
of water known by the name of a dividing Kne between 
John and Peter Henderson," whose grants are noticed 
above, p. 187. The dimensions of the meetinghouse 
were to be 35 feet length by SO feet breadth. The 



.^.j> 



jrira, md eondemn yon ; for they believed and wefe oarelbl to ^nud^ 
tieei that their Sacrifices might not be offered vp hy any who wer* 
not [Prepared for that Work. Thus Virgil brings in his JEneas feft- 
rin^ to meddle with the Hoasehold ffods and sacrifices ; till he shovdA 
parify himself for that Serrice ; and in the mean time putting it q^ 
90 his Father. 

To, Genitor, cape sacra Mann, Patriosque Penates ; 4bc. rays ho. 
And that formal and very solemn Prohibition related by the Poet, in- 
structs us here. 

Procul hinc, procul este Profani ; 
Concliunat Vates, totoqne absiatite Luco. 
which though it be designed to warn all proAme Persons from afttea- 
ding, in common, on the Sacrifices ; yet it argues most stronsly when 
considered with Relation to such as minister." p. 45. Mr. P^s 
married a cousin of our minister, a daughter of Rev. S. Treat sf 
pnnn., whoes lady was a daughter of Vice-president Willard. Tlia 
late Hon. Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declaration 
«f Indepeadoneai and a judge of the Suprem« Coiut of M«sb*9 wai 
tfHJrJOtt. 




AW) 1MBDEFORD. '^49d 

building was toot completed till a few years after, but was 
•probably used during the ministry of Mr. Eveleth, as m 
■1723 it was voted to place a pound near the meeting 
iou9e. The burying ground was adjacent to it, on the 
"Upper side, where the old graves are now seen unenclosed 
^and otherwise neglected. The interior of the meeting 
■liouse was mostly distributed into allotments for pews, 
•wbich were sold to the highest bidder, and the proceeds 
'^propriated towards the expense of the pulpit, the pub- 
Jic seats m the body of the floor, and the stairs. The 
•price of the allotments was voted, June, 1727, to be 
£\0 each, but they were sold as follows : 1. The altot- 
ment from the men's door to the women's stairs, to H. 
'Scamman for £18. 2. From the men's door to the men's 
stairs, to S. Jordan for £16. 3. The next to E. Hill, 
for £9. 4. The next to Justice Gray, for £7. The re- 
mainder for £7 each, to Capt. J. Sharpe, R. Edgecomb, 
•Samuel Cole, P. Fletcher, and Lieut. J. Stackpole. A 
similar arrangement was made in the galleries ; Sept. 
1729, It was voted, "that if H. Pendexter pay to the 
town treasurer £6 down, he is granted to build a pew over 
the women's stairs, not to hinder any passing or conven- 
iences otherwise of seats in the galleries." A. Gordon, 
d. Stackpole jr. J. Brooks, and J. Smith (young men) 
were ''granted the privilege of building a seat in the front 
•gallery, leaving sufficient room for passing into the other 
Beats." The master builder was Benj. Haley, afterwards 
deacon, a grandson of Thomas Haley, the old inhabi- 
tant, who was a son in law of John West. Deacon Hafey 
lived at Marblehead during the Indian troubles ; he died 
of fever at Cape Breton, 1745. His descendants are 
numerous. 

' During the ministry of Mr. Willard, a period of eleven 
years, the population of the town continued to receive 
accessions from abroad, and great tranquility prevailed. 
There was some alarm on account of the Indians 1736, 
. but it passed away without serious consequences. The 
town suffered in common with the rest of the country 
fro m the ravages of an epidemic disease, a malignant 
throat distemper, not before known, which began at Kings- 
ton, N. H. in May, 1735, and extended from Pemaquid 

20* 



39$ HisTonr or saco 

Id Grarolina, causing great mortality, especially among cUl- 
dreo. Mr. Smith, in his journal, under date 31 Octo. 
1735, says : ^*We had a fast on account of the sickness, 
which broke' out at Kingston, and which is got as far as 
Cape Porpoise, and carries off a great many children and 
young persons, and alarms the whole country." The 
next year it prevailed at Scarboro', and proved almost 
universally fatal. Nov. 4, 1 738, Mr. Smith writes : Th$ 
throat distemper is stiU exceeding bad at Saco. We have 
DO means of learning what number of persons died here, 
the records of Mr. Willard, if any were kept by him, 
having perished, and tradition being likewise silent on the 
suUect. 

Complaints were made against the officers and sddiers 
of the Truckhouse for injuring the 6sheries on the river* 
In 1732, the town ^'voted that Mr. John Gordon lay a 
memorial before his Excellency the Governor, and the 
Hon. Council, of the difficulties that the inhabitants and 
residents on Saco river sustain by those in the publicpay 
of this Province by setting of nets and drifting with nets 
to the disturbing of the common course of the fish, and 
any other difficulties that are not for the honor of this 
Province." 

The law of the Province at that period, required every 
town containing ''fifty householders or upwards, to be 
ix>astantly provided with a school master to teach chil* 
dren and youth to read and write." The law was en- 
forced by a penalty of £20 for its neglect. In 1730, 
we find Mr. Stackpole appointed '*a messenger to hire 
ft schoolmaster, not exceeding £60. per annum." Mr. 
John Frost was then engaged. In 1735, the town voted 
to continue Mr. Isaac Townsend schoolmaster. The 
names of the instructers do not previously or afterwards 
occur in the records. 

As vacious minor offences were punished by putting 
the criminal in the stocks, every town was required 
to be furnished with them, under a penalty of £5. In 
1737, it was voted by the town to pay Capt. Jordan 40^* 
''for making the town stocks." 

A number of emigrants from the north of Ireland set- 
tled io town at this period. They were« descendants of 



AVB ni>DCV6BD. ' SBl 

iScc^di oolonjLtbat, about one century before, removed 
t» Ireland, and displaced the native inhabitant^ in partidu- 
ar districts. In 1718, one hundred families of them 
taded at Boston, and twenty more at Falmouth ; the 
braier chiefly settled the town of Londonderry, N. H., 
the latter were dispersed into various parts of the coun- 

R. Odiers arrived from time to time in this quarter, 
ley were accompanied by ministers of the Presbyteri- 
in church in several instances, to which religious sect 
Jiey all belonged. In 1739, there was recorded in our 
mvnbook *Hbe request of John Treworgy, Thomas Kill- 
Mitrick, Mathew Patten, Thomas Thompson, William 
Cllpatrick, to set j>ff those who call themselves Presby- 
erians from any further support to Rev. Mr. Willard ;" 
rhich the town refused to grant. The following persons, 
prho dissented from the vote to increase Mr. Willard's 
■dary, were probably of the same order ; Hector Patten, 
Etobeit Patterson, James McLellan, William Darling, 
Iqseph Killpatrick, John Davis, Martin Jameson, Edward 
Ruraery, Henry Pendexter, Jacob Davis^ James Pratt, 
Abraham Townsend, R. Patterson jr. 

Thomas Gillpatrick, (as the name is now written,) emi- 
grated from the city of Colrain, a sea-port, and first set- 
ded in Wells, with a family of five sons and one daugh- 
ter. He shortly after removed to this town, where he 
died 1762, aged eighty eight years. He had in all nine 
sons, some of whom settled in Wells, and all lived to 
have families. 

Robert Patterson first came over alone, and remained 
a short time ; in 1729, he removed his family, and set- 
ded on Rendezvous point, where he purchased ai farm out 
of the Gibbins estate. He had two sons and two daugh- 
ters. Mr. Patterson was a prominent and worthy towns- 
man ; he died 1769, at the great age of nifiety seven years* 
His oldest son, John, died 1779, aged seventy ; Robert 
1797, aged eighty four. One of the daughters was un- 
fortunately drowned while young ; the other was married 
to James McLellan, and died 1802, aged ninety two. Mr. 
McLellan accompanied the Patterson family to this town. 
He owned the place now occupied by Cfapt. Marshall, 
and died 1785, aged seven^ three. Robert Patter- 




232 HISTORY Of «A00 

son jr. purchased five shares, each consisting of 375 acre^i 
in the town of Belfast, Me., four of which he gave to 
his sons Robert, William, Nathaniel, and James, who as^ 
sisted in the first settlement of that town about 1770* 
They all lived to an advanced age, and have numerous 
descendants in Belfast. 

The ministry of Mr.Willard was terminated by his death, 
which occurred very suddenly at Eliot, then a parish of 
Kittery, Octo. 1741. While engaged in delivenng^a dis- 
course at that place, he was attacked with a disorder in 
bis throat, and having succeeded with some difficulty in 
concluding the exercises of the meeting, he returned to 
the house of Rev. Mr. Rogers, the minister of that pa- 
rish, where he died two days after. The following no- 
tice of this afflictive event was published in the Boston 
Gazette of Nov. 3, 1741 : 

<'KiTTEBr, Octo. 26, 1741. 
On the last Lord's Day, about two of the clock in the afternooB, 
died the Rev Mr. Samuel Willard, Pastor of the Church in BidtU- 
fordj and on this day was decently interred at KitUry ; to whioR 
.Place he oame on Friday last, to preach an Evening Leetore fer the 
Rev. Mr. Rogers. He was a Grandson of the Reverend and Lear- 
ned Mr. Samuel ffUlard, somo time Pastor of the Old South Church 
in BoatoUf and Vice President of Harvard College. He was a Gen- 
•tleman of a graceful Aspect, a sweet natural Temper, of good nata* 
ral Powers and Measure of acquired Learning, in all, sanctify'd by 
the blessed Spirit ; which abundantly qualified and prepared him for 
the Service of the Sanctuary. The giorious ^eao or the Cbnrch 
, who so richly furnished him and employed him in this Service, has 

Seatly improved and remarkably honoured him, as an Instrument of 
e late surprising Work of convincing and converting a great num- 
ber of Souls in York and the adjacent Towns. And having finished 
this his glorious Work which his Master gave him to do, he died with 
an holy Sedateness and Composedness of Soul, and is gone to receive 
the Blessedness of a faithful and wise Steward to his Household 
'here, in his immediate Presence, where there is Fulness of joy for- 
ever. The Day of his Interment the Rev. Mr. Rogers entertained a 
vast Auditory, m which were many of the People of Biddefordj .who 
'greatly lamented him ; and did him Honour at his Death ; with a 
.very acceptable Discourse on Lukef xii. 43, 44.'* 

Mr. Willard was a great-grandson of Maj. SIoqoib 
Willard who was one of the earliest settlers of Concord, 
IVlass. 1635, and for the succeeding forty years is well 
Icnown in the annals of the Colony. Samuel, a son of 
Maj. Willard, born at Concord 1740, was among the 
most eminent divines in New England } the minister of 



Aim B»]»EroRD» S3S 

Qrocoit, ifterwflErds of the Old South church in Bostoiii 
ind aetiog preaident of Harvard Coll. for several years. 
His SOB Jtoha, father of our minister, took a collegiate 
iegtte 16909 and settled as a merchant at KingstoOi 
lamaic^fty W. L, where Samuel was bom 1705. The lat- 
ter was eaj^ly sent to Boston to be educated under the 
care c^ his uncle, Josiah Willard, secretary of the Colo- 
By, And graduated at Har. Coll. 1723 ; when he retur- 
lied to lungstdo with the intention of fixing his residen<^e 
oa the island. But he was so much shocked by the 
fipentioiisness and irreligion which prevailed there, that 
he 4»ime back io New England, and soon after commen- 
eed the study of divinity. Directly on his settlement at 
tKs place he married Abigail, daughter of Mr. Samuel 
Wright, of Rutland, Mass., previously of Sudbury. Their 
bbildren were the following : Samuel, wlio died in cbild- 
liood ; John, b. 28 Jan. 1733 ; William, b. Dec« 1734 ; 
Abigail, died in infancy ; Joseph, b. 29 Dec 1738 ; and 
Eunice, b. 1741. On the death of Mr. Wiilard, the town 
iroted £20 to his widow, to purchase a mourning dress, 
and iC15 for a further donation. She was again married, 
Nov. 13, 1744, to Rev. Richard £lvins, minister of the 
tecxmd parish in Scarboro', who proved an excellent fa- 
dier to her promising children, yet of a tender age. 
. John, the oldest son, was placed under the care of Sec- 
letary WiUard of Boston, who sent him to College ; he 
mduaied 1751, and became the minister of Staffi>rd, 
ii!oBn., where he died 1807. He received the degree of 
D. p. William learned a trade at Lancaster, and settled 
in Petersham, where he was a deacon of the church, and 
lived to a good old age. Joseph, who was not three years 
•Id when his father died, continued in his mother's family 
Bt Scarfboro' for several years. While young, he inten- 
ded to follow the sea, and even went one or two short 
voyages; but the last, a trip to Halifax, was attended 
With so much fatigue and danger, tliat he relinquii^hed the 
design. The master of the vessel was pleased with his 
activity, and remarked to his mother, that it was owing to 
the exertions of Joseph, and his great firmness of mind, 
that the vessel was saved. After this he turned his at- 
tentioa to study under the direction of Mr. Blvins, i^bo 



234 BMTORT OF SAOA 

took great pleasure in instructing bim. So well conrii^ 
ced was the latter that Joseph possessed talents of a high 
order, that he applied, to the celebrated Mr. Moody, iv 
Dunimer Academy, to take him under his care ; by wboin 
he was prepared for college within the short tirbe of eleyen 
months. He graduated at Harvard 1765. Ofhbfiiture 
eminence, as a divine, and as the President of the Uni* 
versity, it is unnecessary for us to speak. He died Sept 
35, 1804. Eunice, the youngest child of our ministeri 
married Rev. Benjamin Chad wick, the successor of Mr. 
Elvins in the second parish of Scarboro'. This excel- 
lent lady has recently died at Scarboro', Feb. II, 1830. 
Two years after the death of Mr. Willard a small vol- 
ume was published at Boston, containing a sermon preacb- 
ed by him only a few weeks before bis decease, at the 
ordination of Rev. John Hovey in Arundel ; and a funeral 
discourse, ^'occasioned by the much lamented death of 
Rev. Mr. Willard,'' delivered at Biddeford by Rev. Wm. 
Thompson of Scarboro' ; to which is prefixed a sketch 
of his character by Rev. Thomas Prentice, of Charles- 
town. The latter says : '^Mr. Willard and I went to the 
eastward, and were settled in the ministry there about 
the same time, and in next neighbour towns [the writer 
at Arundel] : soon after which we contracted a most inti- 
mate friendship, which continued without interruption to 
his death ; and a most agreeable and most faithful friend 
I ever found him. He was a man of good natural pow- 
ers, and for his years and advantages, had made very coo* 
siderable improvement in useful knowledge, es^cially in 
divinity, which, as it was his profession, so was it his 
favorite study, and which he himself frequently declared, 
was of all others the most delightful to him. * * * He was 
a man of eminent piety, and a close walk with God, m 
his more retired life ; as I bad opportunity to observe by 
being much with him and often at his house. In his 
family he was very exemplary, not only for his kind and 
compassionate behaviour fwhich was extraordinary,) but 
ako for the great fervor ol devotion with which he was 
wont there to perform the exercises of piety and religion, 
* * * In his ministry he was diligent f\nd faithful. He 
took much pains in his pastoral visits, in praying with, and 



AWd BIBDEFORD. 235 

iostnictiiig his people, in a private way. And in his pub- 
lic performances he was very serious and solemn, very 
earnest and importunate, both with God and men. But 
this excellent servant of Christ lived for several years 
much unobserved. His excessive modesty, with some 
difficulty in his worldly circumstances, concealed him 
much from public view. * * * And as his life was very 
useful, so 'tis thought his death was the means of much 
good to many souls : For not only were many in other 
towns much affected with it, but also the people of his 
own charge were wonderfully moved with the tidings of 
h ; and from that time, as I am informed, there began a 
reformation among them, which hath since been as re- 
markable perhaps, as in any other town in the Province, 
of the bigness of it : So that a gentleman in that part of 
the country observed to me, that Mr. Willard, like Sam- 
aODi slew more, meaning as to their carnal confidences, 
at bis death than in his bfe."* 

During the short ministry of Mr. Willard, the Church 
was in a flourishing condition. Beside those whose 
names have been mentioned as the original members, sixty 
three persons were admitted to full communion, viz. 24 
males, and 39 females. The names of the former are 
the following : Samuel Scamman, Nathan Whitney, Rob- 
ert Edgecomb, Rishworth Jordan, Benjamin Hill, John 
Smith, John Smith, Andrew Stackpole, Abiel Hill, Dan- 
iel Smith, Benj. Nichols, John TVeworgy, James Clarke, 
Samuel Scamman jr. Wyat Moore, Moses Wadlin, Thos. 
Emery, Nathaniel Whitnev, jr., John Stackpole jr., John 
Murcn, Joseph Gordon, Ekiward Chapman, Magnus Rid- 
lon, Ephraim Stimpson. 

""The gnvect Mr. V^ilkurd is in a field near the meetinghouse in 
Eliot, as tradition reports, bat without the simplest monument to tell 
tha pr acise spot where *the good man' lies. 




S36 IKBTO&T or 9ACO 



CHAPTER IV. 

The pulpit was supplied, after the death of Mr. Wii* 
lard, hy Rev. Woodbridge Odiin of Exeter, and JNficboks 
Hodge of Newbury, until April 1742. A cooMnittee, 
(composed of Capt. J. Gray, Cap(. S. Jordan, and Dea- 
con Hill,) being then appointed to obtain a miBiater, ea- 
gaged Mr. Moses Morrill, a candidate for settlement 
This gentleman was a native of Salisbury, Mass. and 
graduated at Harvard College 1737, at the early age of 
fifteen years. Notwithstanding bis extreme youth, the 
town in June, gave him an invitation ^'to settle amongst 
them in the work of the gospel ministry," offering a sal^ 
ary of £200, old tenw^ the avails of the contribution, and 
a parsonage. The committee to communicate these terms 
were, B. Haley, P. Fletcher, J. Davis, A. Townsend, 
Jas. Clarke, Thos. Emery, and R. Brooks. Some modi- 
fication oCthein was afterwards made, when, August 9, 
Mr. Morrill signiBed his acceptance of the invitation. 
On the same day, the Church voted to receive him 
their pastor. The ordination took place Sept. 29, 1742 ^ 
there is no record of the churches that s^sristed on th^ 
occasion. Capt. Gray was subsequently allowed £6 1S#. 
old tenor, ^'for entertaining the messengers and scholars 
at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Morrill.'^ The town pur^ 
chased the house and land of Mr. Henry Pendexter for 
a parsonage ; the land extended back a mile and a hdf 
from the river. The house stood about one mile above 
the present lower meetinghouse, and nearly the sam*e dis- 
tance below the Falls. 

Dr. Watts's Hymns were introduced into town at this 
time, to be used on particular occasions ; the church vo- 
ted, a few years after the ordination, that they ^should be 
sung at the sacrament, in conjunction with the Psalms of 
David, at the discretion of the Pastor." Simon Wingate 
was chosen deacon 1745, in place of Deac. Haley, de- 
ceased. In 1749, Samuel Scamman jr. was chosen in 
"^— — — — — -^ I " I I. 

*458. or £3 56. old tenor, were equivalent to one dollar, A c<^ 
per waa worth 5d. 



■ ..at* 



AND BIDDEFORD. 237 

place of Deac. Hill, but declined the office, when Moses 
iVadlin was chosen and accepted. In 1754, John Stack- 
pole jr. was chosen in place of Deac. Wadlin. The 
same year, the church appointed a committee '^to take 
care of Mr. Baxter's Practical Works, given to the church 
by the Hon, Samuel Holden, Esq. of London.'' This 

! gentleman was a wealthy English dissenter, well known 
or his charities in New England. He sent over to Dr« 
XTolman of Boston, thirty nine sets of Baxter's Works, 
each set consisting of four massive folio volumes, to be 
distributed among the churches. It was his direction that 
one volume be kept in or near the house of worship, for 
the use of the people on the sabbath ; and that the others 
be lent to the inhabitants of the town, and to neighbor- 
ing ministers.'^ A further innovation was made in regard 
to the singing on religious occasions, March 23, 1765, 
when the following vote was passed : "The Church met 
after Lecture, and voted that Dr. Watts's Sacramental 
' Hymns should be sung for the future at the Sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper, and that bis version of the Psalms be 
sung at Lecture." 

About the time of Mr. Morrill's .settlement, there was 
a great religious excitement throughout New England, 
occasioned by the preaching of the celebrated White- 
field, many clergymen favoi^ing, and odiers opposing, the 
somewhat irregular effects produced by it. Mr. Morrill 
was of the former class. Whitefield came into this 
quarter towards the close of 1744; we hear of him 
in Biddeford early the following year. In March, he 

E reached several times for Mr. Morrill, and in the neigh- 
oring towns. It appears from the Journal of Mr. Smith, 
that there was much opposition to him by a considerable 
portion of the people. 

The winter succeeding the settlement of Mr. Morrill, 
Dec. 20, 1742, died Capt. Samuel Jordan, aged fifty 
eight years. No other individual, probably, had done 
more to promote the growth and prosperity of the town, 
than Capt. Jordan. He appears to have been a man of 
great enterprise, and was extensively engaged in business 



*AIlen. fiiog. Diet. Art. Holden. Allen. Hist. Ch»)linsford. 45. 

21 



338 HISTORY OF SACO 

for many years. He bad a stora near bis house at die 
Pool, to which the inhabitants far and wide were in the 
habit of resorting for their supplies. His house was 
more strongly fortified and secured against the Indians 
than any other in town, being encompassed by ft $tQne 
wall of great solidity, the remains of which are stijl jse^n. 
In time of peace, the Indians were often there, and on 
one occasion they {silently crept into the house in thje night 
with hostile intentions, but the Captain coolly giving no- 
tice of their presence to a person in a remote part of the 
house, directing him where to find a gun, was soon rid of 
the troublesome, but cowardly visiters. While a young 
roan he had fallen into the hands of the «oemy, and was 
detained in captivity several years. At the conference of 
Gov. Shute with the tribes on Arrowsick, 1717, CapMUn 
Jordan was<employed as interpreter. The Indians vf^uf^ 
ted *^tbat in future Interpreter Jordan might be near theao 
to represent to the Governor any thing that JXtight b^p- 
pen," to which the governor replied, that he demt^MO 
better man.* 

Capt. Jordan married Olive Plaistedof Berwick ; their 
children, born 1719-33, were, Risbworthj Qliv^, Sarah, 
Hannah, Samuel, Tristram, and Mary. Olive married 
Rev. Ivory Hovey, 1739, who was ordaif^ied at Roches- 
ter, Mass. the following year. He obtained a dismisaieo 
from that place 1765, and was soon after installed over a 
parish in Plymouth, where he continued to preach until a 
few days before his death, 4 Nov. 1 803. His wife sur- 
vived him a few months. Mr. Hovey preached n:c^ 
five yea^s, and during that time kept a religious jouriHU, 
which, at the tinie of his death, contained about Meven 
thousand octavo pages in short band.f Sarah, aecoiul 
daughter of Capt. Jordan, married Rev. Samuel HiQ, 
1739, a classmate of Mr. Hovey, and settled at Mar^- 
field, near Plymouth. In 1752, Mr. Hill's connexiem 
with the church at that place was dissolved, and he, with 

\".. ' .. . ' . ■' •• > ' . ■■ ;■ ■ ■ ■ ■ '' , ' ■ ' . I. ■■ '■Ml |i. t 'lf iun 

*The official account of this Conference is reprinted. N. H. Hn^. 
Coll. ii . 254.. The eircwnstanoes relatod by- Qollivaii, ^ S$E7,Q€ieiicted 
at Cape Elizabeth, where Dominieus resided. 

tSee an interefttin^f memoir of Mr. Hovey^ Alden. Coll. Fipitipha, 
i. ^. ifass. Missiqnary Ma||r^ne Ui. 20. He gra^ti^Upd at du- 
vard College 1735. 



AND BIDDETORD. 239 

his wife, was received into the church in this town. He 
resided sometime in the house of his late father in law, 
and was chosen representative of the town 1754. His 
vHfe died 1756, and, two years after, he married Elizas 
beth Shapleigh of Kittery. Hannah, tliird daughter of 
GapT. Jordan, was married to Rev. Moses Morrrl^ 1 Dec. 
1749. Mary, the youngest daughter, was married to 
Capt. Philip Goldthwait of Boston, about 1758. Capt. 
6. removed to Winter Harhor, wiiere he resided until the 
RevolutioDary war, when he left the country. His wife 
lived but a short time after their marriage. Mrs. Olive, 
the widow of Capt. Jordan, was married to Rev. Thomas 
Sffiitb of Falmouth, 1744 ; she died 3 Jan. 1763. 

Deacon Ebenezer Hill died 1748, aged 09 years. His 
cMldren were, Ebenezer, Dorothy, Susanna, Benjamin, 
Lydia, Jorfiua, and Jeremiah. Susanna was married to 
lliomas ERfery4.1731 ; Lydia to deacon Simon Wingate, 
1730. Jeremiah married Mary, daughter of Capt. Dan- 
iel Smith, 1746 ; the late Jeremiah Hill, Esq. was their 
oldest son. Jere. Hill, sen. held a commission of justice, 
of the peace, atid was several years representative of the 
towB in the Gen. Courts he died Aug. 12, 1779, aged 
fifty six. 

John Gray, Esq. the commander of Fort Mary 1 720^ 
nmrried soon after be came to Winter Harbor, Mrs. Elissa- 
betb Tarbox ; their children were three daughters, Eliza- 
beffa, Mary, and OKve. Elizabeth was married to Eze- 
kiel Cushinff, Eisq. of Falmouth, 1745 ; Olive to Nathan 
Woodmafh, Esq. of Newbuiy, afterwards of Buxton, 1749; 
Mary to James Staples of Biddeford, 1755. The late 
Abner Sawyer, sen. married Mary, a daughter of James 
mid Mary Staples, 1779. Capt. Gray was ^'a son of 
Joseph Gray, citizen and Salter of London, by occupa- 
fion ft linen draper in that city," according to a memo- 
Fandnm recorded in the town book ; he died 1755. 

Pendleton Fletcher, "being nearly past labor," convey- 
ed his property to his sons, 1746; their names were, 
John, Joseph, Brian, Pendleton, Seth, and Samuel. His 
son Pendleton died on the Neck, 17 April, 1807, in the 
ane hundredth year of his age, Mr. Fletcher sold i of 



240 H18T0BT OF SACO 

the Neck, of Wood island, &z;c. for £1400, lavfah to 
Batchelor Hussey of Sherburne, Nantucket, 1737. Mr* 
Hussey was of the society of Friends ; he was a descen- 
dant of Christopher Hussey, who came to New England 
from* the town of Dorking, near London, 1634, and set- 
tled at Lynn, Mass. Christopher married Theodata,. 
daughter of Rev. Stephen Batchelor, and left two sons, 
Stephen and John, the former of whom lived at Nan- 
tucket, where he died 1718, aged eighty eight* Batche- 
lor Hussey, the year after his purchase, 1738, built the 
house on Fletcher's Neck, now occupied by his grandson, 
friend Christopher. 

Capt. Daniel Smith was among the earliest settlers in 
the town the last century. He came from Exeter, and 
married after his removal, 1719, Rebecca Emeiy, by 
whom he had ten children. He died abou( 1750* His 
widow married Mr. Nathaniel Ladd 1755, an officer of 
the English army, who settled in to\yn after his marriage, 
and continued the public house kept by Cant. Smith* 
Lieut. Ladd is said to have been a native of Exeter, N. 
H. ; he died 1776. Madam Ladd (as she was styled) 
survived her second husband ten years, and died at tb« 
age of eighty eight, having had 144 descendants, inclu- 
ding four great great grand children. Her daughter Re- 
becca married Dominicus Scamman, second son of Capt* 
Humphry, the partner of Pepperell and Weare, 1741* 
Lydia, another daughter, married Benjamin Hooper, 
Esq. 1 744 \ Mary, third daughter, married J* Hill, as 
already stated. 

Samuel Scamman while living atKittery, about 1712, 
married Margery Deering ; their children were three 
sons, Samuel, John, and Ebenezer. Mr. Scamman lived 
on the eastern side of the river, half a mile above the 
lower ferry, (opposite Ephraim Ridlon,) but after the 
death of his wife, (1740, at the age of 51,) he resided 
with his son Samuel, who built a house with a garrison a- 
bout that time where Mr. Stephen Sawyer now lives. 
There was no house above for many years. The other 
sons occupied the old homestead. Mr. Scamman died 
1752, aged fifty eight ; his sou Samuel six years after, 
aged forty five. The latter married Mehitable Hinkley 



fjf Kc# Meadows (Brunswick) 1736 ;* their cbildrea 
Were, Samuel, (lafe deacon,) Isaac, Freeman, Mary, 
Elizabeth, Mehitable, Sarah, and Rachel. The widow 
of Mr. John Scammtn married a second husband, and 
removed with her children, one son, Daniel, and two 
daughters^ to Monnt Desert, where their descendants are 
BOW found. 

On the declaration of war by the English government 
irgainst France, 31 March, 1744, (he news of which 
reached onr inhabitants May 19, defensive preparations 
began instantly to be made throughout the eastern towns, 
the savages being still regarded as under the influence of 
flie French. Sunday, May 20, the people of Falmouth 
and North Yarmouth, as it appears from the Journal of 
Mr. Smith, were at work upon their garrisons, and many 
even feared to attend meeting. ''All the talk and 
thoughts,'^ he writes a few days afttfr, "are about war. 
People are every where garrisoning." A slight shock of 
an earthquake was felt June 3, which added to the ter-> 
ror and alarm ak-eady excited. A public fast was obser- 
iFed Off Thursday, 28 June, "on account of the war and 
Ae earthquake." The military peace establishment of 
Mass. donsisfted at that time of 114 mei^, of whom forty 
eight w^re stationed in the county of York, y\t. at Rich- 
mond Fort, on the Kennebec, 10 ; at Brunswick Fort 
6 ; at Pemaquid Fort 6 ; at St. Gedrges (near Penob- 
scot bay) 13 ; and at the truckhouse on Saco river 13. 
Five hundred men were immediately impressed into the 
service, three hundred of whom were seet to the east- 
Urard. The truckhouse was reinforced by twenty of the 
number, and the remainder were distributed into other 
parts of the county. The ^fencible men,^ or militia, of 
Maine, consisted of two regiments, containing 3105 men, 
one of which, commanded by Col. Pepperell, afterwards 
Sir William, was formed by the western towns in the fol- 
lowing proportion : Kittery 450, York 350, Arundel 95, 

mm^^^tmmmmmmmi Mi ■ i| j m^'m^Ummtm^^^^^m^i^^mmmmm 1 1 1 — ^M^M— ^la^— il"i*^— *»— ^a^^^ 

* 

*T|i« Huik1ey« wer« fiFom thd old Colony of PljiDouth, (tradition) 
wlktfre Thomas Hinkley was an AssrsCant or Counsellor, 1658, and af- 
tisr. Two brothers of Mri. Seanman were slain by the hMtians at 
New Meadows, one of them 1747. Smithes Journal 46. JV. E. Me- 

21* 




142 HlflTOftT OV SACO 

Biddeford 120, Berwick 150, Pbiliipston (Sandford) 150. 
The other, under the command of Col. Samuel Waldo 
of Falmouth, was formed as follows : Scarboro' 160, 
Falmouth 500, North Yarmouth 150, Brunswick 50, 
Sagadehock, (Georgetown, he.) 370, New Marblehead 
(Windham,) 40, Narraganset, No. i. (Buxton) 20.* 

In July, Commissioners were sent to treat with the 
/Penobscot Indians, who obtained from them a solemn 
promise that they would remain at peace. So great con- 
fidence was reposed in their sincerity, that before winter 
all the forces sent into the county, were dismisised, ex- 
cepting one travelling company, in which were enlisted 
three Saco Indians, whose families, says Mr. Smith, were 
settled at Stroud water, and provided for by government. 
The year closed without realizing the fears of the inhabi- 
tants. 

Beside repairing the old garrisons in town, the inhabi- 
tants erected several new ones at this time. In August, 
the town voted 'Ho build a frame garrison about the par- 
sonage house with what was granted by the Province, to 
be sixty feet square, and to plank it up with two inch 
plank, and to build two flankers, the one of fifteen, the 
other ten feet square." At Winter Harbor, near the sea- 
shore, four houses, situated on a square, were strongly 
garrisoned, and occupied by a number of families, r. 
Fortune now lives at the place. An old lady, a daughter 
of deacon Stackpole, has informed us that her father re- 
moved to this garrison at the period in question. The 
public house of Capt. D. Smith, was secured by a brick 
wall on the inside, with flankers at each end. On the 
eastern side, there was the garrison on Fort hill (where Mr. 
King's store is,) which was large enough to accommodate 
several families ; Mr. Gray's house was also garrisoned, 
and the house of Magnus Ridlon on Rendezvous point, 
where Capt. Sharp had lived. f 

*The Government of Mass. Bay rewarded the forces enfraged in 
the destr action of the Narrkganset Indians 1675-6, hy a donation of 
seven townships, which were allotted among the survive and the 
heirs of the deceased soldiers, nearly fifty years after the war. Two 
«f the townships were in Maine, Nos. 1 and 7, now Bazton and Gor- 
ham. The others were located in Mass. and N. Hampshire. 

tThe name Rendezvous was early applied to the Pointy from the 



« AND BIDDCFORD. 243 

Early in 1745, the celebrated expedition against Cape 
Breton, tinder the command of Pepperell, with the com- 
mission of Lieut. General, took place. The following 
persons are all of our inhabitants engaged in it, whose 
names are remembered : Dea. Benj. Haley, Benj. Scam- 
man, Nath. Scamman, Andrew Stackpole, Roger Smith, 
Jonathan Smith, Haven Tarbox, Benj. Mason. 

The same year, July 19, Capt. Thomas Bradbury, 
who commanded the truckhogse, or blockhouse^ as it was 
now termed, sent an express to Falmouth, ^'advising," 
says Mr. Smith, ^'of the Indians breaking out and killing 
a man and forty cattle, and burning a garrison and sawmill." 
The next month the government declared war against the 
Indians. Before the close of the year, several lives were 
lost, and other ravages committed in the new settlements 
below Falmouth. Many volunteer parties went in pur- 
suit of the enemy, receiving from government a bounty 
of £AQO for the scalp of an Indian. 

In the summer of 1746, a scout of the enemy prowl- 
ed around the settlements in the neighborhood of Fal- 
mouth and of this town. On the morning of Sept. 6, 
two young men, sons of Mr. Joseph Gordon, named Pike 
and Joseph, were surprised by them while on the way from 
their father's house, (near where Benjamin Gordon now 
lives,) to the Falls. They were employed in the Cole 
mill, and left home between daylight and sunrise to go tp 
thei** work ; as they were passing a blacksmith's shop, 
i¥bich stood a few rods below the house of Capt. James 
Murch, the Indians rushed from behind it into the road ; 
the young men turned and ran. Joseph, who was very 
swift of loot, was likely to escape, and called out to his 
ibrother to quicken his pace, when the savages fearing 
they should lose him, fired and killed him on the spot. 
Pike was taken by a part of the scout who lay conceal- 
ed further down the road, and .was carried to Canada. 
The Indians retreated at first into a swamp not far from 



circunistance that it was a favorite resort of the Indians at particular 
seasons *of the jear. There was a garrison on it 1690, as it appears 
by the following extract from an account of the soldiers stationed in 
the towns at that time ; *'Saco, alias Randivous garrison, Philip Fox- 
well captain, six soldiers.'^ Musst FiUs, Commwncated by J» C(^n, 




S44 HtSMRT or SAC^ 

(be road, tftkmg with them (he bodjr of Joseph, iirhcfre, 
it is said, they secreted themselves all the cfay, notwith* 
standing the inhabitants turned out, and made a diNgerrt 
search for the young men. Cafpt. Bradbury received the 
alarm, and came down from the blockhouse wiiii pait of 
bis men. Sevien TVeeks after, the remains of the t^ng mart 
were found, and conveyed tfie first certain tflformtftion of 
his melanchoty fate to the aflficted family. A letter was 
afterwards received from Pike at Quebec, giting an ac- 
count of his capture ; he died in that city, the same win^ 
ter, Dec. 6. It is related that young Gordbn enforced 
the respect of the savages, on the route to Canada, by 
bis fearless deportment. There were other prisoners in 
Ihe party, all of whom the Indians treated with great in- 
dignity as well as cruelty. Their food was generally in- 
terior to that of their masters, as tbev were not allowed 
to eat with then^. It was on an occasion of this sort that 
Gordon discovered a resolution wl^ch surprised them ; 
having killed a wild anhn^l, they reserved for their own 
use the parts suitable for food, and threw the remainder 
lo the prisoners. Pike, not relishing this treatment, made^ 
his way unbidden into their circle, and with his knifo 
carved oflTa piece of the meat, which he ate. The sava- 
ges were amazed, and cast on the rash intruder fiercer 
and threatening looks ; but he, wholly unmoved, contin- 
ued to help himself with great coolness and determina-' 
lion. Resentment was soon changed to adojiration of a* 
courage so unusual among their captives,and Pike thence- 
forth was admitted to their mess.* 
— ^ ■ ' - 

*A sort of monody on the death of these youths was coniposed,i 
it is said, by a young woman to whom Joseph was eagiiffeu to be* 
married. The verses are somewhat m the simple, unpolished style 
of the Bay Psalm f^ook, which was, perhaps, the mooel of the rair 
writer. We give a part, not having room for the whole. 

'<The sixth day of September, 

a mighty blast there fell. 
Upon the town of Biddeford, 

as is known very well. 
There was two promising likely .yoathff 

most quickly i^iateb^d away, 



AND BIDDKFORD. 245 

The next year, the savages were quiet until April 13, 
when they appeared in Scarboro', and Nathaniel Dres* 
ser, a young man, was killed. While at work in a field 
at some distance from ti)e garrison on Scottow's hill, 
young Dresser discovered an Indian approaching, and 
fled lor the garrison. It is doubted whether the Indian 
at first idtencj^d to kill him, but finding that he outstrip- 
As they were walking in the street ; 

how soon they're took away ! 
One of them presently was slain, 

the other to the woods 
Was by those heathen led away, 

but where none understood. 
' A poor desolate captive soul, ^ 

he's led in the wilderness 
lYith leanness sent into his soul, 

by hunger and thirstiness. 
It is the band of God ! and we 

acknowledge it had need, 
Lest any murmuring thought 

out of our hearts proceed. 
Altho your hopeful son is dead 

yet he's but laid to sleep, 
I trust he'll rise at the great day 

most holy and most sweet. 
Though seven weeks upon the ground 

his body it did lie. 
He's nothing worse at all for that 

if he's in heaven on high. 
There's flBw young men were like to him, 

who shunn'd all sinfulness, 
For he in time did serve the Lord, 

with fear and reverence. 
No songs nor dancos nor no plays, 

that ever he did mind, 
His heart was set on things above 

to which be was inclin'd. 
The sabbath day he did not break 

as many others do. 
But in the fear of God did walk, 

and in his law did go. 
Oh blest is every yoathful one, 

that doth his footsteps take !" &c 




346 BISTORT OF BkC0 

ped bimself in nnmiog, he rested his gun dgainst the cor- 
ner of a barn, and shoc^ him within a few yards of the 
garrison. The leaps of this young man in his flight are 
said to have measured twelve feet.* 

A few days after, 17 April, Mr. Nathaniel Eliot and 
his SOD who lived at the Falls, on the westetn aide 'of the 
river, were attacked in a field a short distance below the 

S resent lower meetinghouse in Biddeford. Mr. William 
lurch dwelt at that time nearly whereliis grandson, Capt. 
Wm. Murch's house now stands, on the ixiad leading to 
Kennebunk-port, which was not then laid but ; there was, 
however, a private way from the Pool road to Murch's 
house. The Eliots were returning.on thiapath with a load 
of hay, which they had obtained of Mureh, when the In- 
dians fired upon them and instantly hHled the old man. 
The son, it is said, might have escaped, but exasperated 
by tlie fall of his father, he levelled and discharged his 
gun at the enemy, and then took to^ffight ; he had not 
run far when another fire brought him to the ground. The 
bodies of the unfortunate persons were afterwards found 
on the spot where they feU, and decently buried. The 
savages proceeded to Murch^ and took him prisoner, 
near his barn, when they decamped without committing 
any further injury. They carried Mr. Murch to Canada 
by the route of the White Hills, whence he returned the 
following seaion. So bent on mischief were these In- 
dians, that they cut out the tongues of Murch's cattle. A 
daughter of the late deaeo& Wingaie relates, that Mr. 
Morrill, and his brother in law, Rev. S. Hill, were riding 
that day towards the lower part of the town, when they 
heard the guns and soon after discovered the Indians at a 
distance. Putting spurs to their horses, they barely es- 
caped to the parsonage house, which v^^as well secured 
against an assault. Our informant (who was then five 
or six years of age) recollects that her father came hastily 
into the hoiise, exclaiming. There mmthe mischief done, 
for Parson Morrill is running his horse ! The same 
day the deacon removed his family to the garrison of 
deacon Hill, which was protected by a high stockade with 

I I I — — ■— — »^— — I— ^— — — ^— «— I I III I. . 11 . m I *i ■ I J » 

*IUv. Mf. Tnton, MS. notes. 



AN]> BIDDCFORD. 247 

flankers. A watch was kept in the flankers to prevent 
a surprise. The inhahitants placed much reliance in the 
sagacity of dogs for discovering the enemy ; and were 
often put on their guard by this faithful animal. 

Capt. John Davis was ordered by government to re- 
cruit forces in the town for its defence, and enlisted a 
number of the inhabitants ; whereupon a petition was 
forwarded to the Gen. Court, praying 'Hhat the inhabitants 
might be dismissed from the service, and the like num- 
ber of impressed soldiers he sent in their room." Da- 
vis resented the interference of the petitioners, accusing 
tliem of forming a 'plot or conspiracy' against himself, as 
the petition was sent witUout his knowledge ; but they 
contended that the enlistment of inhabitants was injurious 
to the town, and that the object of the petition was sim- 
ply to remove the evil. 

Peace took place in Europe 1748, and the year fol- 
k>wing a treaty was made with the Indians at Falmouth, 
wh^ they engaged *Ho cease and forbear all acts of hos- 
tility towards all the subjects of the crown of Great Bri- 
tain." The commissioners on the part of the govern- 
ment, (appointed by Lieut. Gov. Spencer Phips, in the 
absence of Gov. Shiriey, who had gone to England,) 
were, Thomas Hutchinson, John Choate, Israel Williams, 
and James Otis. On the part of the. Indians, the treaty 
was signed and sealed by six representatives of the An- 
asiaguotacooks and Wewenocks, eight of the Norridge- 
WQcks, and five of the Penobscots. The former tribes 
inhabited about tbe waters of the Androscoggin and 
Sbeepscot. 

Tbe town never afterwards suflfered from the depreda- 
tions of the Indians, altho' hardly one year elapsed before 
the -more easteVn settlements were again invaded by the 
treacherous enemy. In the subsequent war with France, 
from 1756 to 1763, which resulted in tbe overthrow of 
French power aud influence in America, the Penobscots 
..alone refqsed to join theic ancient allies ; the other tribes, 
leagued with the Canadian Indians, continued to harrass 
the frontier towns. The island of Cape Breton, which 
was restored to France '1749^ again yielded to the Eng- 
lish arms 1758. Great rejoicings ikroughout the Pro- 



i 



248 HisTo&T or saco 

vince followed the news of this triumph. Some of our 
inhabitants illuminated their houses on the occasion. Tbl^' 
next year Quebec was taken, and in 1760 tlie English 
were masters of all Canada. Indian hostilities finally 
ceased in New England with the reduction of the French 
provinces ; and the settlements in Maine, whose advance 
in wealth and population had been so materially impeded 
by the long series of desolating wars, began from this 
date to enjoy a good degree of prosperity. In 1760 they 
contained only 10,000 inhabitants; and ten years later 
the number was probably rather diminished than increa- 
sed ; in 1 790, the population was 96,540. 

Capt. Bradbury, the commander of the blockhouse 
during the war, removed to Biddeford after its termina- 
tion, having purchased a tract of land above the Falls, of 
which the estate of Mr. Dominicus Cutis now forms a 
part. He built a house, with a garrison, at that place, and 
a sawmill on the brook, but removed a few years aftjer to 
Buxton. Mr. Jacob Bradbury, his brother, settled in 
Biddeford about the same time'; they came Irom Salis- 
bury, Mass. Mr. Chrisp Bradbury, who was of a diflfer^ 
ent branch of the same family, settled in York, removed 
to this town as early as 1740. Capt. Jonathan Bean of 
York, (a son of Capt. Lewis Bean, before noticed,) suc- 
ceeded Bradbury in the command of tlie blockhouse ; 
his son likewise was lieutenant of the company stationed 
there. The establishment continued to be kept up until 
1759, when the soldiers were disbanded, and the Can- 
non, of which there were several small pieces, were 
transferred to Castle William in Boston harbor. The 
blockhouse was not designed for the defence of the in- 
habitants, but as a storehouse for supplying the Indians 
with goods, at a fair price, in time of peace; it was, how- 
ever, used for the former purpose. The principal build- 
ing was enclosed by a strong picket wall with flankers, 
leaving sufficient space within the premises for a house 
to contain the stores, and for a parade ground. No re^ 
mains of the buildings, except the foundation, are now 
visible.* 

*A 8,'n ot Lieutenant Bean Btill liTes at a short distance from the 
spot, where be was born before the removal of the forces. It is sta- 



AND BiDraroR9. 249 

. In 1750, the setdementon the western side of tbe 
Falb appears to have become the most considerable in 
town. The three sawmills (the Gooch, Cole, and Low^- 
er) gaVe employment to many individuals, who were set- 
•ded in that vicinity. A ferry had been established 
■several years before just below the present lower bridges. 
It was kept on the western side by Elisha Allen, who 
traded, and entertained travellers in a small one story 
liouse ; he afterwards buih, at the same place, the house 
now occupied by Capt* Samuel White, where he lived 
aotil about the close of the revolutionary war.* A few 

ted by SnUirao, p. 265, that Rev. Ammi R. Cotter, who had been a 
nSniefer at N. Tarmoiith, wassubeeqiienUy commander of the tmek- 
Jkhms on Saeo river. He held the situation but a short time, having 
«»eceeded Capt. Smith. There is in our records a copy of a note 
frmn him to the townclerk, informing of an estray,dateci"Biddeford, 
Ow.3, 1743," written, probably, from the trackhoose. 

""fifr. Allen porehaaed, in 1750, the following described tract of 
land, of which the upper bounds were near his house : '*A tract or 
mtmI of land being and lying on Saco river where the tide ebbs and 
floweth, the breadth of it being 137 poles upon a southeast and north- 
waat line, taking in all the coves upon the tide river and so to low 
water mark, with i^ the privileges of fishing and fowling, hawking 
and hunting, appertaining to the patent : and to begin at a little fiul 
ftke rifpUeA bems on the outside thereof on the side of it, a little a- 
Wva the oUT dweinnghonse, and so from thence to go down unto the 
river by a little brook, which is about twelve poles from the rock un- 
to the river, and fVom that rock to begin upon a southwest line and 
tdfon fear miles in length southwest, which is the breadth <^ the 
pHent, and eontinues its breadth of 137 poles the whole four milee 
HI all places, the southeast marked tree bounding or adjoining the 
land oT Zachary Gillam and Ephraim Turner," &c. 

Tide land was conveyed by Maj. Phillips to William Hutchinson, 
lfi73; whoue heir, Eliakim Hutchinson Esq. of Boston, sold it to Al- 
lan finr £1200. The latter immediately after convened a breadth of 
45 rods on the southeast side to Thos. Gillpatrick, jr., and the same 
•stent next above to Benj. Nason. It thus appears that the land sold 
bv PhiUipa to Hobbs 1673, which was bounaed on the northwest by 
iawWs trooAc, was situated in some other part of the patent, and 
fbat the brook so cUled by the Phillips heirs 1718, (see p. 907) was 
act the same mentioned in the deed to Hoobs. The latter seems to 
have been the brook now called Dungeon creek, near which Deacon 
Win^ate lived, who bought out one of the Uobbs heirs, Elizabeth 
1/lnmng, of Salem. 

AUen conveyed the remainder of his purchase severalyears later 
to Col. John Tyng, merchant, of Boston, afterwards of lyngsboro'i 
Mass., who retained the property uptil his death 1797. The tract 
purchased by the Jordans and Podk 1742, lay next below the land of 

22 



350 HISTORY or BAOO 

rods above Allen, lived Joshua Warren, and above bim, 
Benj. Hooper, Esq., who subsequently built the bouse 
DOW Capt. Samuel Emery's. William Dyer and Obed 
Emery were situated on the opposite side of the road, 
where the late Jeremiah Hill, Esq. (a son in law of Mr. 
Emery,) resided. Hooper and Emery were from Ber- 
wick, and settled in town about 1740. In the vicinity of 
the mill brow were William Cole, son of Samuel Cole, 
the original proprietor of the mill that still bears his name ; 
John Gray, a son of Robert, and Tlieopliilus Smith, son 
of Capt. Daniel, who were the principal milimen* Mr. 
William CoIq died 1754, at the age of thirty six, leaving 
four sons and one daughter, viz. Williant, Jeremiah, 
Olive, Benjamin, and Nathaniel. The daughter was mar- 
ried to Mr. Lemuel Foss, 1761. Mr. John Gray posses- 
sed a valuable estate in the vicinity of the Falls. He 
married a daughter of Matthew Patten 1743. The bouse 
in which he last lived still remains, near the mill brow. 
He built another for his son in law, Mr. David King, (a 
brother of the late Rich. King, Esq. of Scarboro',) at 
the place called 'King's Corner,' a short distance above 
the upper meetinghouse. Mr. Rob. Gray had two other 
sons, James and Robert. The latter purchased the in* 
terest of James Clark, in the vicinity of the lower mee« 
tinghouse in Biddeford, where he afterwards lived. 

A respectable number of families- settled in the neigh- 
borhood of Clarke's, formerly Smith's, brook, early this 
century. The land of John Smith, which he conveyed 
to Nicholas Bully 1652, as already stated in the former 
part of our inquiries, after passing through the hands of 
various proprietors, was divided, in 1737, among the fol- 
lowing persons : Thos. Emery, James Clarke, Edw. Proc- 
tor, Wyatt Moore, and John Murch, all of whom were 
then settled on or near the premises. This right, how- 
ever, was but a small part of what was taken up in that 
vicinity, and is only referred to as an ancient and interes- 



Wniiam Hutchinson, and consisted of two lots, one containing 500, 
the other 400 acres. The reader is desired to make the necessary 
correction, p< 209. 



..j\ 



AND BIDDEFORO* 251 

ting title. The "neck of land called Church Point,** 
a boundary of Smith's land in the deed of 1642, on the 
north side of the biook, is still known under that namei 
though more commonly called Gray's point, from the late 
proprietor. Tradition says that the first house of wor- 
ship stood there ; and as the name savours of episcopacyi 
the churcli was probably erected by the earliest colonists. 
A collection of graves, evidently of great antiquity, is 
seen on the Point ; and, altho' at some distance from the 
principal settlement of the colonists, thQ beauty of the 
spot, (a circumstance more regarded in early than later 
times,) and the name which it bore several years prior to 
the erection of the meetinghouse of 1666,* lead us to 
the conclusion that Church Point was selected by Vines 
and his associates for the public purposes of religious 
service and burial. 

'Thomas Emery built about the year 1730, a house 
now^ a part of that occupied by the widow of bis son, the 
late Ebenezer Emery, next below the lower meetinghouse, 
and in the vicinity of Church Point. The marriage of 
Mr. Emery to a daughter of deacon Hill 1731, has been 
mentioned. Their children were, James, late deacon, 
Jonah, Joshua, Ebenezer, Thomas and Nathaniel. There 
were several families of this name in town at that time ; 
on a tax list of 1738, for the support of Mr. Willard, we 
find the following names and assessments : Benj. Emery, 
£1 5s. 2d. ; Thomas Emery £1 4s. 2d ; Jonathan Eme- 
ry, 13)9. 2d. ; John Emery 10^. 4d. Mr. B. Emery, was 
living 1 750, in the upper part of the towil, in the neighbor- 
hood of Capt. Thomas Bradbury, but how early he set- 
tled there we are not informed. 

James Clarke lived on the brook which bears his name. 
In 1732, the town directed the treasurer to pay him 
>*£13 for planking the bridge near his house, as soon as 
money comes to the treasurer by taxing the unimproved 
land." Clarke was taxed for the support of the minis- 
ter 1738, £1 4s. 2d. Edward Proctor £1 4*. 2d. 



*It is difficult to decide where this house, described as near " Powder 
(salt) beef tree/* was situated, no additional light having been thrown 
upon tha subject in the progress of our inquiries. 




=SS^SIBBaM 



352 HnrroRT ov saoo 

Wyatt Moore, 12$. lOd* John Murcb, ISs. 8df. Matthew 
Patten, £16$. Ad. Simoo Wingate, (afterwards deacon) 
\\$. 10d« Patten and Wineate lived above Thos.Eine» 
vf. The highest individual rates for the support of the 
minister that year, were the following ; Capt. S. Jordan 
£5 18i. Id. Pendleton Fletcher j&5 16#. 7. Samuel 
Cole £5 As. Sd. Capt. Daniel Smith £A 19$. Sd. A- 
bout one half of the whole namber of inhabitants were 
taxed less than one pound. 



CHAPTER V. 



The settlement on the east side of the river, to which 
the name of Saco East was sometimes applied bef<H« its 
dtstirxt incorporation, increased but slowly in business and 
population for many years after the division of the Pro- 
prietors* The inhabitants continued to be chiefly located 
near the sea, at Old Orchard, and towards the mouth of 
the river, being for the most part descendants of the 
old families; the Soammans, Edgecombs, Towosends, 
Youngs, Sharpes, Bankses, Sands, and Googios ; to whom 
were added the respectable Irish, or more properly 
Scottish, emigrants, already noticed. Until 1731, UapC 
Scamman, and the persons employed in the sawmill, with 
their families, appear to have been all that were settled in 
the vicinity of the Falls. In the course of that year, 
Mr. Weare transferred three fourths of his right both in 
the milt and lands, to Richard Berry, John Elden, and 
John Sellea ; and not long after, one eighth to Thomas 
Dearborn, and the remainder to Abraham Tyler and Jere. 
Moulton. With the exception of Tyler and Moulton, 
the purchasers became inhabitants of the town. In 1736, 
Sellea sold one half of the lot lying on the upper side of 
the way laid out by the proprietors, now Main street, to 
Jos. Hill, for £400, reserving ''a place for burying, 20 
ieet square.'' The land is described in the following 
manner : *^A certain parcel or tract of land skoate, ly- 



AND BIDDEFOBO. jS^ 

idg and being in Biddeford, on the easterly side* of the 
pver commonly called Saco, alias Biddeford river, which 
Aaid tract is one half of the lot where the said Sellea's 
And John Elden's houses now stand, the whole share be- 
ing about two miles in length, and forty rods in width, be 
it more or less, bounding easterly on a way, westerly upon 
land of H. Scamman, southerly partly on land left foi: a 
niill privilege," &;c. The stores of Messrs. King, and 
Scamman &l Cole, stand where Elden and Sellea lived. 
The burying ground, which is in a field on the lower side 
of Storer street, has been recently ploughed up, (horresco 
referens,) but a few solitary headstones remain to mark 
the spot. Dearborn sold out in part to James Berry 
1737, and Tyler and Moultou to William Berry the year 
following. The Berrys all lived at the Falls. Richard 
married Abigail Smith, of Biddeford, 1736. He died 
1765, aged fifty eight. 

The lands and other property of Capt. Humphry 
^.Scamman were divided among his children 1736, in the 
ibilowing order : Humphry, the oldest son, received one 
.tbird part of the share in the mills, and privilege, the first 
,and second lots above and below the falls, and one half 
^of the third lot above the falls ; together with twelve 
^ftcres of salt marsh at Goose fair, and nine rods in the 
upper checker. This was a double portion. A few 
.years after, as stated above, Humphry transferred a 
•part of his right to Robert Gray. Dominicus, the 
^second son, received 200 acres, lying on the north west 
.side of Moses Deering's lot, together with one third of 
the remaining two thirds in the mills, and other small lots. 
He married Rebecca, daughter of Capt. Daniel Smith, 
1741, and lived near Mr. William Deering's, op the Fer- 
ry road ; but both died prematurely, of a malignant fever, 
1745, leaving two children, Dominicus and Elizabeth. 
-To James, the third son, were assigned 100 acres of land 
in Scarboro', with the mills and privilege at Dunston ; 
.and also one half of the fifth lot above Saco falls, &lc. 
He married about 1739, Hannah, a daughter of Col. 
Plaisted, of Berwick, and first occupied a house built by 
Pepperell where the Bartlett house now stands. He af- 
terwards purcliased a part of Sellea's lot, and erected a 

22* 



bouse in the rear of the present Thornton .house. He 
<)ied.l753, aged thirty twO| learing two sons, the late 
Col. James, and Mr. Nathaniel Scamman, and three 
daughters, Hannah, who married Thomas Donnell ; Bet* 
ty, who married deacon John Hill, of Berwick ; and 
Mary, whose first husband was Capt. Setb MitcheL The 
widow married Maj. Ebenezer Ayer, from Haverhill, 
Mass., 1754, who occupied the house built by Mr. Scam- 
man, which he enlarged. They had several children, 
some of whom are now liviog. Nathaniel, the fourth son 
of Capt. Scamman, received 200 acres of the homestead 
at the lower ferry, a part of the mill, &c. He died un*- 
married at Cape Breton. Benjamin, the fifth son, recei- 
ved the remaining 200 acres of the homestead, with the 
buildings and appurtenances, and the privilege of keeping 
the Ferry, &c. When 19 years of age, 1745, be joined 
the expedition to Cape Breton, with his brother Nathan- 
iel, and, it is said, came home sick of the prevailing fever 
the same year, and soon after died. The fata) disease 
was communicated to several families in town ; his brother 
Dominicus and wife fell victims to it. The nextdivisioft 
was made to the heirs of Mrs. Hannah Brown, a deceased 
daughter of Capt. Scamman, who received the town 
grants made to him on Little river, 135 acres, also on6 
half of the fifth lot above the Falls, and 32} rods ia 
breadth in the upper division of Lewis and Bonython's pa- 
tent, next to Skinner's land, &c. Elizabetli, another 
daughter, wife of Capt. Ichabod Goodwin, of Berwick, 
received for her portion lands in Kittery, 81 acres in Saco^ 
also one half of the fourth lot above the falls, and 35j^ 
rods in the upper checker. The late Maj. Gen. Ichabod 
Groodwin,* formerly sheriff of the county of York, was 
their son. Mary Scamman, ''who was in Canada,^ had 
assigned to her the sixth lot above the Falls, 63^ rods 
wide, and also a breadth of 82^ rods in the upper check- 
er ; now called ''the Canada lots.'' These lands never 
came into the possession of Mary's heirs, although it is 
said that a daughter addressed a letter on the subject to 
her cousin, deacon Dominicus (xoodwin, of Berwick, 
written in the French languajB;e ; but owing probably to 
die difficuhy of comrounieafing in a foreign tongue, and 






ftt 80 great a distance, the claim was neglected. At 
length 1802, a partition of the lots among the heirs of 
the other children of Capt. Scamman was ordered br 
the Court of Common Fleas, which accordingly took 
place. Sarah Scamman, the youneest daughter, who 
afterwards married Jos. Hanson, of Dover, received as 
ber portion of the estate, a piece of land at Kittery point, 
a small lot of three acres with a house thereon on the 
west side of the lower ferry, 81 acres adjoining Domini- 
cus, one half of the fourth lot above the Falls, and 31^ 
rods breadth in the upper checker."*^ In the allotment to 
the widow, are mentioned two houses at the lower ferry, 
viz. the old homestead, and that assigned to Sarah ; a 
new house at the Falls on Humphry's first lot, soon after 
told to Gray, and the mill house belonging to partners, 
**in which,'' say the commission^, ^'Joshua Hooper now 
fives.** 

Robert Gray emigrated from Ireland, and first settled 
in Berwick. Soon after bis purchase from H. Scam- 
man, 1744, of the house and 200 acres of land where 
the latter lived, he conveyed the premises to his son 
James, from whom he received a lease of the same dur- 
ing life. He died 1771, at the age of ninety one years. 
A few years after the division of Capt. Scamman's estate, 
the property at the lower ferry, in part, was purchased 
by the late deacon Amos Chase, who built the house now 
occupied by Simeon Holt, and kept the ferry several 
years. Deacon Chase came into this quarter from Neit- 
bury about 1741, when he married Sarah, daughter of 
Mr. Samuel Cole. He at first attempted a settlement in 
Buxton, on a right belonging to his rather, and was the 
first person who went with a team into that town. The 
war of 1744 caused him to return to Newbury, from 
which place he came again to Saco river, and settled at 
the feiry 1753. He removed from the ferry 1763, to 
die estate two miles above, where he passed the remain- 
der of his lon^ nnd active life.f 

*The reado.' is ue-ired io 'supply the oroission in the nain^s of Capt. 
Seamiiftn's children, p. 313. 

tThe tftatoly clni« which adorn thr late ''osidenee of the good dof* . 
eon, he carried to the spot and aet oat with his own hands, about the 




.lin 



356 HI8T0ET or SAOO 

Pepperell alienated a very small part of his extensire 
interest in town ; a few house lots, in the vicinity of the 
mill, comprised all of which the conveyances now appear. 
It is said, however, that he granted one hundred acres, 
or more, to John Phillips, who settled in^wn about 1730. 
The statement is, that Phillips was a native of the west 
of England, and a cousin to Sir William ; and that on 
bis coming over, the latter gave him a deed of the tract 
in question, but retained the instrument for safe keeping, 
which after the death of the baronet was either lost or 
destroyed. The story is not wholly improbable, the 
father of Sir William having emigrated in humble circum- 
stances from the county of Cornwall, in the southwest of 
Ens;land, and the latter having permitted Phillips to im- 

?rove the land from the time of his settlement in town, 
^he lot is said to have extended in length from the pre- 
sent First Parish meetinghouse to Goose fair brook, on 
the lower side of the way, which divided Pepperell and 
Weare. Phillips lived in a small house that stood where 
Jona. King Esq. now resides, whose valuable estate is a 
part of the tract claimed by the heirs. Thehr title was 
allowed to a certain extent by the agent of government, 
. appointed for the sale of confiscated lands. 

The decease of Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, tbok 
place 6 July, 1759. The following schedule of bis lands 
now lying in the town of Saco, amounting to about 5500 
acres, was drawn up at that time : 1 • The mill right, from 
Gray's land to Main street in breadth, and two miles 
back, supposed to contain 300 acres. 2. A lot consis- 
ting of 300 acres, 100 rods distant from the former. 3. 
The great lot, Pepperell's half, 1200 acres. 4. Deep 
brook lot, 700 acres. 5. Guinea lot, 600 acres. 6. Ber^ 
ry's lot, 350 acres. 7. Long Reach Sot, 700 acres. 8. 
Old Orchard lot, 490 acres. 9. Interest in Foxwell's 
right, 870 acres. Sir William devised this valuable pro- 
perty to his grandson, William P. Sparhawk, a son of 

time of his removal. It is gratifying to notice' this exception to the 
general indifference, of our inhabitants to the cnltivatioo of ornamen- 
tal tree% The advice of Dumbiedikes to his son is oilener qaotad 
than followed : *' Jock, when ye hae naethinff else to do, ye may be 
aye sticking in a tree ; it will be growing, Jodt, when ye'teeleeping." 



I 



BDNnVOBDw 3ST 

NMd. Spiffhairfc, JEsq. whoie wife munibe oriy mirvi- 
ibg cbOd of the Btrooet. Yotiii|( Spmrhawk, theo a 
minor, wis to take the name of William Pepperell, wheo 
h» became of age. 

Tlie improirements made bj Pepperell were not very 
•ictenaive. Beade his part of the saw and gristmills, h^ 
Ind a wharf and store, or UKorehouief as it was called^ 
ikiiated as the similar property now is bek>w the Falls» 
He likewtse built a smaU house on nearly the same spot 
where the Bartlett bouse stands, which was used at an 
terly period far the accommodation of travellers. Mr. 
Richard Burke, an ^nt of the Pepperell family, after- 
wards occupied it. The Ferry was also in part the pro* 
perty of Pepperell. The Baronet was often in town> 
end his appearance is well remembered by several aged 
persons. He passed much time at the house of Rev. 
lir. Morrill, and always attended meeting when here 
on Sunday. His dress was usually in the expensive style 
of those days, of scarlet cloth, trimmed with gold lace. 
When strangers were present at meeting it was common 
to solicit a contribution, the avails of which were the 
perquisite of the minister. Pepperell, although tradition 
does not speak of him as distinguished for his liberality, 
would sometimes, it is said, throw a guinea into the box, 
in token of his friendship and regard for the worthy pas- 
tor. Few men have passed through life with so much 
success in their enterprises, whether of a public or pri-> 
mte nature, as Sir William uniformly enjoyed. Even the 
reduction of Louisburg, the pillar of his fame, has been 
ascribed to a series of lucky accidents, or to the special 
interposition of Heaven, rather than to the military skill 
of the general. It is a homely traditk>n, that whatever 
he willed, was done. None thought it wise to dispute 
his wishes. 

No regular Physician is known to have settled m town 
until a comparatively late period. Medical practice was 
chiefly in the possession of females, of acknowl^fjged 
tact and experience, whose acquaintance with a few sim- 
ple remedies, and fahhful care of their patients, supplied 
m a good degree the want of professional skill. In cases 
of great difficulty and danger, and those which required 



r 



358 BISTORT or SJyOO. 

surgical aid, the physicians of the larger towns were. 
usually employed. Dr. Packer, of Portsmouth, (wlio 
died 1728, at an advanced age,) extended his visits into 
this quarter ; as did the celebrated Dr. Clement Jackson^ 
and Dr. Pierce, of the same town, and Dr. Lyman of 
York. The latter, we have heard, resided here a short 
period on the west side of the river, during the ministry 
of Mr. Willard, but cannot vouch for the accuracy of the 
statement. Dr. Nathl. Coffin, who settled in Falmouth 
(Portland) 1739, and practised with great reputation 
nearly thirty years, was often employed by our inhabitants* 
The first physician that is known with certainty to have 
settled in town, was Dr. Samuel White, Esq., nor be was 
a magistrate as well as a physician,) who came from York, 
as early as 1750. He lived at the Falls, on the east 
side, in a house that stood until a recent date, on wharf 
bill, a short distance above that of Captain Jonathaa 
Cleaves. We find the town voting to pay him ^^26i, 
&d. lawful money, for service done for Walter Murch, 
in dressing his leg," 1756. Dr. White died soon after 
that date, of consumption. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Woodbridge, of York, on his death returned to that 
place. 

The next physician, Dr. Donald Cummings, was a 
man of some celebrity. He was a native of Scotland, 
and came to America as a surgeon in the British army. 
He was induced to settle in town, it is said, by Lieut* 
Ladd, with whom he formed an intimate friendship while 
in the service. He came early in 1755, and resided at first 
on the east side of the river. The same year, Dec. 30, 
he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of Mr; William 
Cole, and soon after removed to the house built by the 
latter on the mill brow, west of the Falls. Possessing 
popular manners, and the reputation of great skill in his 
profession, he acquired in a short time a very extensive 
practice. His services were in requisition abroad as well 
as at. home, and aged persons in neighboring towns stik 
speak of Dr. Cummings, as the most distinguished prac- 
titioner of former days. In his habits, he was social eve& 
to excess ; cheerful and full of anecdote, he inspii*ed goo^ 
bomor and friendly feelings wherever he went. His deaUi 



Ain> BIDDEFORB. 259 

was the result of accident. Returning late on the night 
of April I9 1774, from a visit to the l)ouse formerly Capt. 
Samuel Jordan's, at Winter Harbor, he was thrown from 
his horse on the shore of the Pool, wliere his lifeless 
body was discovered the following morning. He left 
three sons, James, Donald, and Nathaniel. 

The first merchants or traders of whom we have an 
aecoHHt on the east side, were Tristram Jordan, Andrew 
Bradstreet, Thomas Cutts, Thomas Donnell, and David 
King. Mr. Jordan, third son of Capt. Samuel, took the 
Pepperell house, (in which Mr. Jas. Scaraman had lived,) 
1749, having married the same year, Hannah, daughter 
of Capt. Ichabod Goodwin, of Berwick. He soon after 
built a house, recently taken down, which stood on Storer 
street, on the site of which Capt. Tristram Storer has 
since erected another. In 1754, he was chosen one of 
the selectmen of the town, altho' but 23 years of age, and 
about the same time received the commission of captain 
in the militia ; offices which it was not customary at that 
period to bestow on young men. We have before us the 
commission of Samuel Scamman, (father of the late dea- 
con,) as ^'lieutenant of the First Company of Foot on 
the East Side of Sawco river, in the Town of Biddeford, 
in the Co. of York, whereof Tristram Jordan is Captain, 
in the first Regiment whereof Sir William Pepperell is 
Colonel," ^c. given at Boston 12 April, 1755. The 
books of Capt. Jordan, kept at that time, show that he 
traded to a considerable extent. By the tax list of 1755, 
It appears that the whole number of persons assessed on 
the east side of the river, was 115, including six non- 
residents. The highest rates were paid by the following : 
Tristram Jordan, Eben. Ayer, Jas. Gray, Rich. Berry, 
Amos Chase, Edward Rumer}', Jas. McLellan, Martin 
Jameson, Rob. Gray, jr., S. Scamman, Waher Foss, R. 
Patterson ; the first paid £4 5</., the last £1 10^. 2^. 

Andrew Bradstreet came 1756-7, and occupied the 
house in which Capt. Sam. Jordan Morrill now lives. His 
store was adjoining the house, on the front. Captain 
Thomas Donnell rented at the same time the store or 
mrarehouse of Sir W. Pepperell, on the wharf below ; his 
son, now living in HoUis, was a clerk in the store 1758, 



S60 BISTOKT or MOO 

then 18 years of age. Mr. David King traded it diorC 
time near the head of the wharf, but soon after bis mar- 
riage, 1762, removed to the west aide of the river. 

Co]. Thomas Cutts, for a long period one of the most 
eminent merchants in Maine, was the yoangest son of 
deacon Richard Cutts, of Cutts*s island, Kittery. His 
:great grand fetber, Robert Cutts, Esq. emigrated to this 
country from the west of England, about the year 1645, 
and with his two brothers, whose names were John and 
Richard, settled on the Isles of Shoals, at that time a 

Elace of great resort for English fishing vessels. From 
uinble circumstances they all rose to the enjoyment of 
great wealth, the reward of long continued and success- 
ful enterprise. Robert finally removed to Kittery, and 
bis brothers to Portsmouth, where they were for many 
years among the most respected inhabitants. T&e former 
was appointed a magistrate by the King's Commissioners, 
1665; and at his death, 1672, left a large estate to bis 
son Richard, father of the deacon. The latter was bom 
1693, and married Eunice Curtis, 1720. Our towns- 
man, as stated on a preceding page, was the jroungest but 
one of their ten children. Having served a clerkship 
with Pepperell, he early commenced business, it is said, 
at Kittery, but proving unfortunate in his first enterprise, 
he left the place, and soon after, about 1758, came to 
this town. He was then but twenty two years of age, 
-with a capital of only $100, for which, and to a greater a- 
mount, he was indebted to his father. He first took a 
room in Dr. White's house, where be began trading on « 
small scale. By practising the most rigid economy, eveik. 
to the preparation of his own food, thereby avoiding die? 
expense of board, and with the aid of an uncommon ap- 
titude for business, Mr. Cutts within a short period en-* 
larged his capital, and became engird in lucrative and 
extensive transactions. It is worthy to be noticed n0 
t;reditable to his early .character, that with bis first pro- 
fits he discbai^ed the obligations to bis father. Indian 
island at that time was covered with a fcnrest of oaks^ 
:and as yet had served little other purpose than to afibitf 
a favorite place of resort to the friendly natives during 
rtfae fishing aeasoui when great numbers of them were 



AND BIDDSrORD. 361 

Qsaally there. They bad enjoyed from time immemo- 
rial an uodisturbed right of occupancy to this valuable 
spot, now so completely divested of its natgral beauty 
and all that rendered it attractive to the rude savage. 
Even many years after the improvements were commen- 
ced on both Falls, the island continued to be the occa- 
sional abode of the Indians, and was the scene of many 
a noisy frolic and midnight revel, when their loud and 
frantic cries, mingled with the roar of the cataract, often 
excited alarm and consternation among the inhabitants. 
The partners, in the division of 1718, simply claimed it 
as their property, neglecting to make a partition, as of 
their other lands, notwithstanding the advantages which 
it presented for the erection of mills, and as a central 
medium of communication between the opposite settle- 
ments. Mr. Cutts was the first to appreciate the im- 
|)ortance of the island for these and other purposes, and 
early resolved to make it the seat of his business. In 
pursuance of this design, he purchased in the summer of 
1759, a small undivided part, being a fourth of Weare's 
original share, for about ninety dollars, and soon after 
ihuUt a small house, with conveniences for a store, on the 
southwest end of the island, (where it still remains,) to 
which he removed. A bridge had been recently thrown 
across the narrow part of the stream, on the east side, 
a abort distance above that now leading from Main street, 
and a road laid out nearly as it runs at present to the 
western freebridge. The Ferry was at the same time 
established from that part of the island, to Allen's, (now 
Capt. White's,^ thereby avoiding more than half the dis- 
tance of the old route from Pepperell's wharf. After 
the erection of the proprietors^ bridge at the same place, 
1767, with which the inhabitants were highly gratified, 
Mr. Cutts began to reap the full advantages of a situation 
so judiciously chosen. Beside the business of his store, 
which became greater than that of any hther in the vicini- 
tv, he entered into shipbuilding and navigation, and up to . 
tne commencement oi the revolutionary war, was enga- 
ged in a timber trade with the British W. 1. islands, equal- 
ly profitable and extensive. 

23 



r 



■,'Vff.H' ■ T-'M 



263 BISTORT or saco 

Mr. CuUs was married, 24 Aug. 1762, by Rev. Mr# 
Morrill, to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Domioicus Scam- 
man, who, on the premature decease of her parents, had 
been adopted by her maternal grandmother, Madam 
Xiadd. He continued to occupy his first house about 
twenty years, in which were born all but . one of eight 
children, five of whom are now living. In 1782, the 
family removed to the elegant mansion house, on the up- 
per part of the island, wJbere Col. Cucts passed the re- 
mainder of his life.* 

The first mechanic within the limits of the pesent vil- 
lage, whose name has reached us, was. Samuel Dennett a 
tanner, from Kittery. He came as early as 1738, and 
lived opposite Spring's island, where bis son built a saw-r 
mill and gristmill 1795. Hence the name of Deanet's 
landing, given to "the place for taking logs out of the 
river," on the upper side of the bridge. Samuel Warren, 
a blacksmith, came from Berwick a few years after Mr. 
Dennet. He married Sarah, daughter of Mr. Robert 
Gray, 1 749, and purchased a houselot from Sir William 
Pepperell 1752, on which he buih the house now occu- 
pied by his son, Capt. Thomas Warren. He died 1814, 
aged eighty eight years. John Armstrong, a cabinet mar 
ker, from Boston, settled in town about 1750, and re^ 
mained more than twenty years. He occupied the house 
oC Mr. John Elden, after the latter removed to Buxton, 
and had his shop in the building. Mr. Armstrong retur- 
ned to Boston, where he has respectable descendants.f 

*The Pepperell half of the iiland was purchased by CTol.* Cntti 

1774, for about $U00; he bad previously bou^fht Sellea's l*16^aod 

an equal proportion from Mclctire, of York, pmbably Elden's share. 

' Other small parts were conveyed to him at different times, by tht 

Berrys or their assigns, and the Scamman heirs. 

f His father, James Armstrong, and his brother in lawj Robert 
Means, were amon|^ the presbyterian emifrrants from. Ireland, and 
settled at Falmouth 1718. IMr. Means subsequently removed to this 
town, having purchased an estate at Old Orchara, where he died 
1769, aged seventy nine years. He had two sons, Thomas and John ', 
the former settled at Flying point, (Caseo bay,) now in Fre^porCy 
where he was unfortunately killed by the Indians 1766. (SolliTaiL 
190. Smith's Journal) John died at Old Orchard 1776, ]e«¥ia|r ftw% 
sons : John, Robert, James, Thomas, and George ; the third of wbon 
commanded a company during the last four years of the revolntioft- 
ary war, and has since lived at Stroudwater village, Weatbtook. 



i 



AND BIDDEFORIX. 363 



John Hurley, a tailor, ivas here at the same time. Peo- 
perell sold him a house lot below Warren's, jsvhere \x% 
probably built the bouse, afterwards Bradstreet's, in which 
Capt. Morrill now lives. He remained but a few years- 
Isaac Whitney, housewright, purchased a house lot situa- 
ted between Warren and Hurley, from Sir William 1762. 
Two years after be sold to Mr. Warren the lot, "together 
with a house standing thereon.'' (xershom Billings, a 
tailor, was here 1750, when he worked in a small shop 
that stood where the stone block of Messrs. Andrews and 
Scamman has been recently built. He married a daugh- 
ter of deacon Wingate, 1764, and lived in the house 
formerly Dr. While's, which he purchased. Mr. Bil- 
lings was afterwards chosen deacon of the first church on 
the east side of the river, and finally removed to Buxton. 
John Kendrick, a well known shoemaker, bought a house- 
lot of Pepperell, now a part of the Cleaves hotel premi- 
ses, 1752. He at first built a small house on this lot, 
m which he lived many years. Kendrick died 1825, aged 
ninety five. John Fitts, a chairmaker, had a shop next 
above Bradstreet, 1760. Francis Tucker, a hatter, from 
Portsmouth, was here 1762. His house was on Main 
street, nearly opposite Saco Bank. He died 1790, aged 
ninety.* 

In 1755, the following persons were taxed for the item 
^ faculty y on the list committed to the constable of the 
east side of the river : Donald Cummings bs. Id. ; S. 
Dennet 4s. ; S. Warren 3«. 9d. ; J. Kendrick 2«. ; J. 
Hurley 2#. ; Isaac Whitney 15. 10<{. ; John Armstrong 
1#. lOjd. In 1762, Thomas Cutt 12*. ; S. Warren 12s.; 
S. Dennet 12«. ; A. Bradstreet lOs. ; Capt, Thos. Don- 
BelllOf. ; David King ts. ; Francis Tucker 55. 
. The way laid out by the partners 1718, from the mill 
to the middle line, was made a highway 1754, and ex- 
^■^^"^■"'■^'■^■"^■^"^■""^■"""^"^"^^^^'^•"■•"^~~~~'-"~~"~^~"^"'"""— ^~^».^^*"""'~^~""~^"^""~~'~""~""^"^^— 

*The Pepperell hoase, already mentioned, was a place of retort ab 
ikat period for the lovers of punch, flip and sampson, (the latter a 
bevera^ composed of rum, eider, &c.) A book is preserved con- 
tftining charts ajorainst sundry persons, who frequented the house in 
1750. The fiiliowing are specimens of the items: 1 bowl Punch 7^. 
(e\d tenor) 1 mug Saoipsoii 0^. 6ii. ; 1 mu§ Flip 5«. ; 2 qts. Syder d«.; 
1 Z^fiaqaop 9i,dd, 



---^ .jiaLsa 



264 HISTORY OP SAtfO 

tended to the Scarborough line ; it is now the post road 
to Portland. Up to that date the travelling was contin- 
ued oh the lower road, crossing the Ferry near the mouth 
of the river, and another at Blue-point.^ The return of 
the jury is as follows : "Nov. 2, 1764. We the sub- 
scribers being a jury summoned and sworn to lay out a 
highway in as direct a course as may be, from Biddeford 
lower (alls, on the eastern side of Saco river, to Dunston 
in the town of Scarboro' ; having viewed the land, do 
lay out the same as follows, viz. beginning at Saco ferry 
on the eastern side of said river, next below the lower 
falls aforesaid at an elm tree, at the middle of the ferry 
place, and running as the road now goeth, from thence 
north sixty degrees west, twenty seven rods, thence 
north west by north twenty four rods, to the garrison or 
fort so called, thence, running north east between the lands 
of Sir William Pepperell, and the heirs of Mr. James 
Scamman deceased, five hundred and forty rods crossing 
over Goose fair river to a white oak tree marked ; and 
from thence north fifteen degrees east, two hundred and 
forty rods by marked trees and thence north forty degrees 
east fifty four rods crossing over Little river to the banks 
on the northeast side of said river, thence north nine de- 
grees east twenty six rods by marked trees, from thence 
northeast two hundred and sixty rods to the southwest 
side of Foxwell's millpond, and thence northeast cros- 
sing the millpond, one hundred and eighty two rods to the 
town line between the towns of Biddeford and S<^arboro% 
the said road for the space often rods joining on the south- 
west side of said mill pond to be five rods wide, and all 
on the southeast side of said line for the advantage of 
joining a bridge, and in all other parts to be four rods 

^he last person who had charge of the Ferry at Blue-point, was 
Mr. Abraham Tjler, who died a few years sIdco at an adraDced 
af e. He came from Andover, Mass. and married in this town, 1743. 
His wife was one of the two children, Elizabeth and Andrew, ''bein 
of Mrs. Hannah Brown," (see p. 254,) grand children of Capt. Seam- 
man, by whom both were adopted after the early decease of their 
parents. Andrew settled at Kennebunk-port, where his deecendante 
are numeirous and respectable. This family of Browna had an «k- 
tensive rijrht to lands in Boarboro', derlTed from their anoestor, Mr. 
Andrew firown» who purchased firom Creorge Cleaves 196^ 



Attn HiDDsroRD.' ^66 

widb/' The sdrtie jury, Rich. Kingj Esq. of ScarboW, 
foremao, laid out the Buxton road, four rods wide, oT 
mbkh the return bears the same date as the preceding. 



CHAPTER VI. 



The town passed a vole at the March meeting, 1752, 
to erect a new meetinghouse on the land of Matthew Pat- 
ten, to which thirty persons, chiefly resident on the eas- 
tern side of the river, entered their dissent. And in 
AprH following, the inhabitants on that side obtained the 
consent of the town to be set off as a distinct parish. 
The meetinghouse was in consequence not built at the 
charge of the town, but by the subscriptions of the in- 
habitants on the western side. The committee to super- 
intend the building of it, was composed of Rishworth Jor- 
'danj Esq., Jos. Tarbox, Jos. Dyer, Benj. Hooper, and 
Jere. Hill. It was completed 1759, by Mr. Nathaniel 
Perkins, master builder, and is now known as the lower 
flieetinghotise in Biddeford. 

In the meantime, the eastern Parish set about erecting 
a meetinghouse for their own accommodation, on a piece 
irf* land granted them by Sir William Pepperell. The 
donation was made 1752, and consisted of four acres, ''for 
Imildhig a meetinghouse, for a burying place, and for set- 
ting up a schoolhouse, and for no other use or end what-^ 
erer.'' Xhe fraime of the house was soon after erected, 
land the town was desired to finish it, which they voted 
to do, March, 1754 ; but in October following, the vote 
was rescinded. At a meeting the next month, a proposi- 
tion was made to raise a sum, one half of which should 
"be appropriated towards completing the house, and the 
iremainder for repairing the old house on the west side, 
which was rejected ; but the town granted £26 I2s, 4d,f 
^Ho hire a preacher for the winter season on the east side," 
and appointed Amos Chase, Samuel Seamman, and Ben- 
jamin Hooper, a committee for this purpose. Three 
years after, 1757, the town passed the following vote ; 

23* 



# 






266 UI8TOKT OP 9AC0 

''That the meeting house now erected on the east side of 
the river be a meetinghouse for the public worship oq 
said side, and be finished by the inhabitants of said side 
at their own cost and charge." And Mr. Morrill was 
permitted to preach there one third part of his time the 
year ensuing. Mr. Edmund Moody, of Kittery, an ex- 
perienced workman, was employed to finish this house, 
which stood until recently a few rods below the present 
meetinghouse of the Second Parish. The desk was 
partially supplied by Rev. Mr. Morrill, until 1761, when 
the services of Mr. John Fairfield, ct candidate for the 
ministry, were obtained. Mr. Fairfield preached his first 
sermon on a temporary engagement, 23 August, 1761. 
He fentinued till Nov. 1 1 , boarding at first with Mr. Jas. 
Gray, and afterwards with Capt. Tristram Jordan. He 
resumed his labors in January, 1762, and continued, with 
a short intermission in the summer of that year^ until bis 
settlement. 

In 1760, the limits of York County, which extended 
from New Hampshire to^ Nova Scotia, were reduced by 
the erection of two new counties, Cumberland and Lin- 
coln. The east line of the County remains as it was then 
established, except that it has been curtailed on the north. 

The inhabitants on the east side of the river bad at 
length become so numerous,^that they petitioned the GeO'- 
eral Court for a separate act of incorporation. This was 
obtained in June, 1762* : whea it was '^enacted by the 
Governor, Council, and House of Representatives, that 
all the lands in the Town of Biddeibf d lying on the East 
side of Saco River in the County of York, together with 
an Island in the said River commonly called and known 
by the name of Indian Island, be, and herel^ is, erected 
into a separate and distinct District by the name pf Pb^ 
PERRBLLBOROUGH, bouudcd with the same bounds as 
the Town of Biddeford now is on the East side of Saco 
river ; and that the said District be, and hereby is invest 
ted with all the privileges, powers and immunities that 
Towns in this Province by Law do or may enjoy, that of 



\a%9 Appendix F. for a copy of the entire Act 



AND BIDDEFORD. 



267 



l;ending a Representative to the General Assembly only 
excepted,' be. 

The name of Pepperreltborough was retained by the 
town until 1805, when the old and more convenient de* 
signation, Sago, was substituted* on the petition of the 
town, by an act of the Legislature. This name had, in- 
deed, never been out of popular use. 

The first district or town meeting was holden in July, 
when Tristram Jordan, Amos Chase, and Robert Patter- 
son, jr. were chosen selectmen, and Tristram. Jordan 
elerk. At a subsequent meeting, Aug. 7, a committee 
was appointed, consisting of Lieut. Samuel Banks^ R. 
Patterson, jr., Jas. McLellan, and Ebenezer Ayer, who 
were authorized to invite Rev. John Fairfield to settle in 
the work of the ministry, and to offer him a salary of 
dSeOO, old tenor, equivalent to £80 lawful, ($266,66) 
''if they could not agree for a less sum." The meeting 
having been adjourned to Aug. 24, it was then voted to 
aUow Mr. Fairfield a settlement of £1000, old tenor, 
( j(444,44), that he might provide himself with a parson- 
age. These terms were accepted by Mr. Fairfield, who 
returned his answer Sept. 24. The following persons 
united themselves, into a church society, Octo. 13, ob- 
serving a solemn fast on that day : Robert Patterson, 
Robert Edgecomb, Samuel Banks, Maenus Ridlon, Thos. 
Edgecomb, Tristram Jordan, Amos Chase, R. Patterson 
jr. Andrew Bradstreet, Gershom Billings. Messrs. Chase 
and Patterson, sen. were subsequently elected deacons, 
but the latter declining the office, Mr. Billings was chosen 
in his stead. The ordination of Mr. Fairfield took place 
Octo. 27, 1762, when the following churches were re- 
presented : the first church in Beaton, (of which the 
pastor elect was? a member,) the church in Biddeford, 
1st and 2d churches in Wells, 2d church in Scarborough, 
Ist church in Falmouth, the church in Windham. Rev. 
Mr. Morrill presided in the Council. The exercises of 
the ordination were conducted by the pastors of neigh- 
boring churches in the following order : Rev. Mr. Elvins, 
of Scarboro', offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. Mr, 
Morrill delivered the sermon, from Luke, xii, 42. Mr. 
Fairfield then read his answer to the invitation of the 



2M HIiTOKY or 8A00 

town ; Rev. Mr. Morrill made the ordaining pinyer, and 
gave the charge, assisted in the imposition of hands by 
Rev. Peter Smith of Windham ; Rev. Daniel Little, of 
the 2d church in Wells (Kennebunk) extended the right 
hand of fellowship ; Rev. Moses Hemmenway, of the 
first church in Wells, offered the concluding prayer ; after 
which the newly ordained pastor read Psalm 123, and 
pronounced the blessing.* 

The Rev. John Fairfield was a descendant of John 
Fairfield, a puritan, who was admitted a member of the 
church at Salem 1639, and freeman of the Colony the 
succeeding year. William Fairfield, Esq. a grandson of 
the latter, was the representative of Wenham, near Sa- 
lem, in the General Court 27 years, nine of which be 
presided as speaker of the House. He died 1742, in the 
eighty first year of his age. His oldest son, William, set- 
tled in Boston, where be died 1770, leaving six chil- 
dren, the second of whom was our minister. The latter 
graduated at Harvard College 1757, and was engaged 
us a teacher at Manchester and Roxbury, Mass. until be 
commenced preaching, Feb. 1760. Before his engage- 
ment at this place, Mr. Fairfield supplied the desk at 
Leominster, Mass. nearly five months^ 1760; and sub- 
sequently preached in the warehouse at Arrowsick, 
Georgetown ;m the First Parish of Scarboro^; and at 
Dunstable, Mass. Previously to his setdement, 20 July, 
1762, he was married to Mrs. Mary, daughter of Capt. 
Ichabod Goodwin, and widow of Foxwell Curtis Cutis, 
Esq. o( Berwick.f Soon after his settlement, Mr. Fair- 

*Mr. fSbenezer Ayer provided a dinner on this oocasion at the ex- 
pense of the town, of which ninety pereoni partook. Mr. Ajer 
charged at the rate of lO^. old tenor, or 24 cpppera per head. The 
following articles were purchased for the entertaimaent, at the aa- 
nezed prices : IJ bus. turnips £1 45. S hue. potatoes £2 5«. Bixtj 
four pds. heef £4 I69. 6 pds. pKims £9 5». Pepper and Spioe £1 
Bs. Two geese £3. One turkey and one other fowl £} 7d Two 
turkeys £1 10. Seventeen pds. pork £4 65 Fonr fowls £1 44. 
Cabbage \Ss. 13} pds. butter £4 IBs. 11 pds. sugar £2 15^. 6 pds. 
plums £2 &9. 54 pds. floor £3 If. 25 pds. pork £6 5s. One barret 
beer £2 .Two galls, rum £4 10^. Two qts. brandy £1 2s. 64. Two 
bus. rye and indian meal £3. (Old Tenor, or abouiSO eta. to the £4 
Eight cooks and waiters were employed on the occasion. 

tMr. FairiSold recorded in a private joarnal the death of a son of 
Mr. Catts, in the following manner : <'l766, May 3d. At six o'elook 



AND BiDDxrora/ 3^ 

field built the bouse now occupied by Mr. William Dee- 
ring. His amiable consort died 16 April, 1774, at the 
age of thirty seven ; leaving a family of six children, five 
of whom were daughters, and all at a tender age. Mr. 
Fairfield iiras twice subsequently married. 

The town afilairs present nothing of particular interest 
after this date until the commencement of the revolu-* 
tionary struggle. In the meantime, several professional 
gentlemen settled in the villages at the Falls, attracted 
doubtless by their growing importance, and the fair pros- 
pect of a continued increase in the amount of business. 
Of this number was James Sullivan, subsequently dis- 
tinguished as a Judge of the Supreme Court, aAd Grovernor 
of the Commonweahh. Mr. Sullivan was a native of Ber- 
wick, where his parents settled early in that century, hav- 
ing emigrated to New England from Limerick, Ire- 
land. His father was long employed as an instructer at 
Berwick, and, possessing a familiar acquaintance with the 
higher branches of learning, bestowed on his sons, (of 
whom there were four,) the only patrimony in his gift, 
but more valuable than any other, a good education. He 
designed them, however, for the labors of a farm, in which 
James was actually employed until a late period of his 
youth, when, fortunately for society, of which he was 
destined to prove so bright an ornament, an accidental in- 
jury withdrew him from the further pursuit of that occupa- 
tion. His steps were then turned into a track that led to 
t wider sphere of usefulness, for which his native powers 
of mind peculiarly fitted him. He studied law with his 
brother. Gen. John Sullivan, at Durham, N. H. and 
opened an office in Biddeford 1769. He purchased a 

morninff died my son Samael Cult, aged 7 yean perhaps to one miii- 
nte, of tne NeryouB Fever, who laid 10 days in a aenselesa Frame, 
mad never apake till Death put a Period to his Days. ^ May this Pro- 
vidence be sanctified to us all who are exercised with it to our spiritu- 
al Good. He was decently interred on Sabbath Evening at 7 o clock 
the 4th Instant. At the Funeral were the following Persons to whom 
for their Special services we gave Gloves. Mr. Morrill Chaplain ; 
Doct Cummings, Physician. Bearers, William Patterson, John 
Morrill, Joseph Morrill, John Chase, sons of R. Patterson jr , Rev. 
Moses Morrill, and Rev ( Josiah) Chase of Spruce Creek, (Kittery.)'* 
Then follow the names of the watchers, and several other peiioiii» 
io aU thirty two, to whom glovea were given. 






370 aisTORT or sac« 

gmall one story house, containing only two rooms, in which 
he lived three or four years ; but afterwards built a hand- 
florne front of two stories, the same now occupied by Ed- 
mund Coffin, Esq. His office stood in a comer of the 
garden adjacent to his house. No regular attorney had 
previously settled on Saco river ; the litigated business 
having been wholly managed by lawyers residing in dis- 
tant towns, who were in the habit of riding the circuits of 
the^courts. Mr. Sullivan speedily rose into favor and ex- 
tensive practice, aided by popular manners and a close ap- 
plication to the business of his profession. *^His accom- 
modating disposition," says a cotemporary resident in 
town, "made him much beloved. Necessity in early life 
brought him acqqainted with labor of almost every kind ; 
the axe, the saw, the shovel, the plough, he handled 
equally with any one, and superior to most men, and with 
such willing resolution that none went before him. He 
would fall a tree equal to any, and lift as much. The 
town of Limerick was located 1772, in which he had a 
share, and the proprietors honored him with the name, 

(being that of the town from which his father emigrated.! 
n 1774, litigation had ceased, the courts were suspended, 
and his case, would with noost men have been gloomy in 
the extreme ; not so with him, however. He took his 
axe, week's provisions, and blanket, frock and trowsers, 
and went with the other settlers, to Limerick, (for most 
of them went from Saco,) and commenced falling trees 
to reduce his lands to a state of cultivation, for the sup- 
port of himself and family. On Saturday evenings, be 
returned (the distance wa^ nearly thirty miles,) as black 
and as cheerful as the natives when they return from a 
successful hunt. The business of the country, however, 
soon required his energies." 

Three physicians settled in Biddeford, and one in Pep- 
perretlborough, before the death of Dr. Cummings. Dr. 
Abiathar Alden, one of the former, came about 1765, 
from the Old Colony. He was only remarkable for his 
tory principles, which finally lost him the small portion of 
practice he at first possessed. Dr. John Jackson, from 
Portsmouth, resided in Biddeford about the same time. 
He remained onl)^ a short period, 



AMD BIDDXFOBD.. 371 

Aaron Porter, M • D. from Boxford, Mass. settled in 
Biddeford 1773, and soon acquired an extensive practice^ 
wUch he retained until his removal (1810) to Portland, 
where he now resides. Dr. Porter studied with the late 
Thomas Kittredge, M. D. of Andover, whose father, Dr^ 
John Kittredge, an eminent surgeon, was often employed 
in this quarter.^ Benj. Hooper, Esq. built that year the 
house now occupied by Capt. Samuel Emery, attached 
to which was the office of Dr. Porter, directly opposite 
Mr. SullivanH(. The hardships encountered by Dr. Por- 
ter in his early practice, are well described in the follow- 
ing extract from a communication on the subject with 
which he has favoured us. ''At that period, most of the 
country was new, unsettled, and wilderness. Althougii 
Saco was settled and inhabited from 1629, yet tlje set- 
tlements were altogether by the Sea or on the margin of 
the River, or about a mill, so that all the lands round a- 
bout remained a wilderness. In this wilderness country, 
without experience it is hard to conceive what difficulties, 
dangers and hardships a young Physician must su^r in 
his professional business, riding necessarily in stormy, 
dork nights, on bad roads, bye paths, pole bridges, or 
none at all, trees and bushes sweeping across the way. 
Add to these, deer skipping, wokes howling, foxes yel- 
ping, owls screaming ; music not the most agreeable m ^ 
dark winter's night to a traveller. Before this a few 
years the people bad begun to move out and cultivate and 
settle on the wi]deme$s lands, and were necessarily with- 
t>ut roads ; by paths of course were used, and to attend 
these scattered settlements for inany miles around in their 
sicknesses, was the worst of the practice. Thus it con- 
tinued much the same through aU the revolutionary war. 
My professional business commenced in 1 773. Dr. John 
Jackson had removed to Portsmouth ; Dr. Alden's prac- 
tice left him ; Dr. Fairfield went into other business ; Dr« 
Cummines was drowned 1 April, 1774 ; thus nearly all 
the practice came under my care. Arundel and Kenne- 

*In 1756, our inhabitants voted to pay Dr. J. Kittredge £8 lOs. \ 

lawftil, "for boardinff and dressingf of James Treworgy, servant of J 

.Thos. Dyer's.** Bills for horse hire, on^account of Treworgy, wore « 

•greed to be paid at the same time. ~ ^ 



272 HiSTOKT or sac# 

bunk having no physician during the Revolution, that 
practice also fell to me. Anticipating as I did through 
the year 1774, that the threatening aspect of afipirs be- 
tween us and Great Britain would not be sooiT accom- 
modated, 1 provided for the worst as respected my busi- 
ness and living. Medicines already began to be scarce, 
for none had been imported from the British for several 
months ; having a little credit in Boston and a little cash 
on hand, 1 improved both to the extent of my power, and 
procured medicines of the best quality enough to last ten 
years. Thus stored with these necessaries, having no 
lamily to support, (and by the by matrimony was scared 
out of the land, few or none dared undertake it,) t was 
placed in easy circumstances, for that day at least. At 
that time HoUis, Lyman, Alfred, and the country round 
was wilderness ; some few scattering settlements were 
beginning to be made in those places." 

Dr. Porter was married, 1777, to Paulina, second 
daughter of Richard King, Esq. of Scarboro'. Of their 
twelve children, born in Biddeford, four are now decea- 
sed, one of whom, Moses, graduated at Harvard Coll. 
1799, died 1802. The Doctor built, 1785, the house 
now occupied by Mr. James Maxwell, at fiHt consis- 
ting of two stories, to which a third was added 1800. 

Dr. Jostah Fairfield, a cousin of the minister, came to 
Pepperrellboro' about 1770. He soon relinquished the 
practice of medicine for mercantile business, and during 
the war was engaged in fitting out privateers. Dr. Fain- 
field purchased the house formerly Dr. White's, where 
he lived, ^^respected and useful," in the words of his 
epitaph, ''as a man, a physician and a magistrate*". He 
died of consumption 1794, aged forty seven years. 

The principal magistrate in Biddeford, at that period^ 
was Hon. Rishworth Jordan, who lived in the lower pa 
of the town, in the house now occupied by his youngei^ri 
son, R. T. Jordan, Esq. Early in the war, he was raise^i 
to the bench of the Court of Common Pleas, of wbic3i 
he subsequently became chief justice, and was univez^ 
sally esteemed for his able and upright discbarge of tti0 
duties of that office. For more than balf a centui7> 
Judge Jordan took an active and prominent part in the ai^ 




AMD BIDBKFOBD. 373 

fairs of the town, enjoying the unlimited respect and con- 
fidence of the inhabitants. He married Abigail, daugln 
ther of CoK Timothy Gerrisb, of Kittery, 1742. Of 
their ten children, six were daughters ; Olive, the eldest, 
was married to Dr. Daniel Peirce, a physician, of Kittery, 
1765 ; Abigail, to William Vaughan, E^. of Portsmouth, 
1768; Sarah, to Capt. Paul Junkins, of York, 1769; 
JMary, to Col. Joseph Morrill, now of Saco, 1772 ; Eliza- 
beth, to Mr. Benjamin Nason, jr. of Peppo. 1784 ; Jane, 
to Mr, William Shannon of Dover, N. H. 1809. Capt. 
Junkins removed to Pepperrellboro', and lived in a house 
nearly opposite that of Josiah Calef, Esq., where the old 
road from Gray's met the ferry road. The point in the 
river previously cdled Pipe Stave, was known as Jun- 
kins's point after the captain settled in that vicinity. Judge 
Jordan died 1808, in the 89th year of his age ; having 
survived Capt. S. Jordan, his father, sixty six years.* 

A great improvement was made prior to the revolu- 
tion in the facilities of communication between the two 
towns, by the laying out of new roads and the erection 
of bridges across the river. Travellers continued to ford 
the mouth of Kennebunk river, and to take advantage of 
the seashore, where it was practicable, until all apprehen- 
sion of danger from the Indians was removed. The road 
to Kennebunk-port, which strikes the Winter Harbor road 
near the lower meetinghouse in Biddeford, was laid out 
nbout 1750 ; and it was not until several years after that 
date, that the present mail route to Kennebunk was at- 
tempted. The dense and long extent of forest, formerly 
IcDOwn as "Saco woods," through which it must have 
necessarily passed, prevented the early laying out of this 
voad ; and until a comparatively recent period, the stories 
^f wolves, wildcats, and even catamounts, reputed to have 
attacked individuals in those formidable woods, have occa- 
sioned some uneasiness to the timid traveller.f 

*Th6 mother of the Judge, we have reason to suppose, was a grand- 
^bniffhter of £dw. Rishworth, Esq. of York. Mr. Rishworth died 
^6B1, havinff been an inhabitant of Maine about fifty years. See a- 
t»oTe,pD. 119, 128. 

tWolves appear to have annoyed the inhabitants down to a cora- 
paratively recent period. As late as 178G, the following vote was 
"^UMd in town meeting ; "Voted to allow any person belonging to 

24 



S74 HtSTORT OF S^AGO 

The first Bridge over any part of Saco river was 
built with the proceeds of a Lottery, granted by an act 
of the General Court passed 1757.* An advertisement 
appeared in the Boston Gazette 1758, announcing the 
First Class of the Liottery to be drawn at York, in May^ 
the following year, when the drawing took place. 
The bridge was built a short time after the passage of 
the act, before the completion of the drawings, and cros- 
sed the branch of the river on the east side of the island 
above the present one from Maine street, as already no- 
ticed. The small, old-fashioned shop of Mr. John Scam- 

the town of Pepperrellboro' dOs. for all grown Wolves that shall be 
killed within the bounds of said Peppo. and lbs, for wohres* whelps." 

*The act is as follows :*- 
"An ACT for raising the sum of One Thousand two Handred Pounds 

by Lottery, for building and maintaining a Bridge oyer ISaco and 

Presuropscot Rivers in the County of York. 

Whereas the Eastern Part of said Connty of York has been for- 
merly broke up by the Enemy, and the getting Troops to their relief 
is eztrearaly difficult, if not impracticable, in some Seasons of the 
year, there being no passing in boats or any other way ovwr thA 
Rivers of Saco and Presumpscot and the building a Bridge over said 
Ri?er will be of Public Service — > 

Be it therefore Enacted b^ the Governor, Council and Honse of 
Representatives, that Sir William Pepperell, Baronet, Daniel Monl* 
ton, Edward MUliken, Joseph Sayer, and Kushworth Jordan, £s(|. 
Messrs. Benjamin Chadbourn and Stephen Longfellow, or any three 
of them, be and hereby are allowed and Impowered to Set op and 
Carry on a Lottery or Lotteries which shall amount to such asnmat 
by deducting Ten per Cent, out of each Prize will ruse the sum of 
One Thousand Two Hundred Pounds to be applied by them, or any 
three of them, towards building and maintaining a good and ram- 
cient Bridge over each of said Saco and Presumpscot Riven, at or 
near the lower Falls of said Rivers, and for defraying the necessary 
Charges of the Lottery aforesaid, and the said Sir vViUiam Pepperell, 
Daniel Moulton, Edward Milliken, Joseph Sayer, Rmdiworth Jordan 
Ksqs., Benjamin Chadbourn, and Stephen Longfellow, or-any three 
of them may, and hereby are impowered to make all necessary Roles 
for the regular Proceeding therein, and shall be sworn to the faithfiil 
discharge of their Trust aforesaid and be answerable to the owners 
of the Tickets and for any deficiency or misconduct ; and that Mo- 
nies so raised shall be applied for the uses and purposes aforesaid and 
no other, and if the sum raised shall be more than Sufficient (after 

S tying of the Charges of the Lottery) to bnild the said Bridges, the 
urplusage shall be lodged in the hands of the Tieasurer or the 
County of York, to he drawn out and applied towards Repairs of the 
said Bridges." Records Gen. Court. The highest priie, flOOO^ in 
this Lottery, is said to have been drawn by Mr. Ebeneier Aver. It 
was probably the highest in the first class. The prioe of ticJEeta was 
(Wo dollars. 




AND BIDDEFOBD. 275 

nmn, stands on the lower side of the former road, where 
it met the bridge. In 1772, the following vote was pass- 
ed by the District or town : ^'Wbereais the Lottery Bridge 
in Peppo. so called, is out of repair, and the inhabitants 
of said District are presented for the same, and said pre- 
sentment is depending at the next Superior Court at York, 
it is voted that if said presentment should go against said 
District, to carry the cause to the Gen. Court for redress," 
&c. It does not appear that the bridge was put in com- 
plete repair, although it continued to be passed until 
swept away by the great freshet of 1785. A 'daughter 
of Mr. Andrew Bradstreet, four years of age, fell through 
an opening in this bridge, and was drowned, Oct. 22, 
1779. She floated down to the brink of the Fall, when 
her clothes caught in a slab, and she remained suspen- 
ded a minute or more ; means were mstantly taken by 
persons in the mill to rescue her from the perikus situa^ 
tion, but at the moment when there was a prospect of 
success, a floating piece of wood struck against the slab 
by which she hung, and precipitated the little sufferer in- 
to the abjrss below. 

After the Lottery bridge was carried away, another 
was built on nearly the same spot, by CoL Cutts, with 
the assistance of the town, on which toll was taken from 
strangers. The town contributed £100, as it appears by 
the following votes passed 16 January, 1786 (when a 
meeting was holden at the public house of John Cleaves) : 
'*! Voted to assist in building a bridge across the stream 
on the east side of Indian island. 2. To raise £100 by 
the freeholders and inhabitants of Pepperrellboro' to be 
laid out towards the building a bridge across the stream 
on the eastern side of Indian island, and where the Lot- 
tery bridge was built, and on condition the inhabitants of 
said P. have free liberty to pass over said bridge when 
built, also over a bridge on the west side of said island, 
when built, free from all charge as long as said bridges 
sfaaU remain, the aforesaid sum to be paid in lumber at 
the market price," be. A committee for attending to 
this subject was then appointed, consisting of Capt. JoS. 
Bradbury, Col. Humphry Pike, and deacon S. Scam- 
man. The bridge built at that time, remained about 



876 HI9T0RT OF SA<fo 

twenty years, when it having become decayed and unsafe, 
the present one was erected by Col. Cutts. The di- 
rection of the road was at the same time altered. 

The first bridge on the west side of the island was 
erected by Col. Cutts, deacon Chase, Thos. Gillpatrick 
jr., and nenj. Nason, 1767. The next year, the General 
Court passed an act, ''making the bridge lately built over 
the west branch of Saco river, from Biddeford side to In* 
dian island, a toll bridge." Col. Cutts soon after bought 
out Chase and Nason ; hence it was commonly known 
as Cutts's bridge. Col. Tyng, who owned the ferry way 
on the west side, strongly opposed the erection of this 
bridge, but] the inhabitants of both towns considered it 
as a most valuable improvement, and highly applauded 
the enterprising proprietors. The freshet of 1785 proved 
fatal to the bridge, out another was immediately built by 
Col. Cutts at the same place,' where the western free 
bridge now stands. 

Two roads were laid out in Pepperrellboro', 1774 ; 
one in the lower part of the town, ''from Old Orchard to 
the County road that leads from the lower ferry, so call- 
ed, to Saco Falls." The other, ''from Saco FaUs up 
Saco river, and by said river as far as David Sayer^s land, 
and across said land," now called the Boom road, in lay- 
ing out which the selectmen began "on the mill privilege 
between Robert Bond's house and Humphry Pike's shop, 
and at the County road that leads from the Lottery 
bridge to Scarboro'," Col. Pike's blacksmith shop was 
nearly where that of Mr. John Billings now stands, and 
Mr. Bond's house was situated on the corner above. 
David Sawyer was settled near the boom, where his son, 
the late Abner Sawyer, sen. has since lived. 



4tSD BIBDEFOBB. 27? 



CHAPTER VIL 

Great unanimity prevailed in both towns on the subject 
of the differences with the Brother country. The lead- 
ing individuals were staunch wbigs, and defended to the 
fullest extent the measures taken by the provincial con- 

i^ress, cutting off all intercourse with Great Britain. The 
ollowing Resolutions, probably drawn by Mr. Sullivan, 
express a tone of determination, which shows that great 
as th^ sacrifice might be, the inhabitants were early pre- 
pared to bear their part in the unequal struggle. 

"At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Bid-- 
deford the 30th Day of July, 1774— Resolved, 

1st. Whereas the Parliament of Great Britain has for 
th^ Express purpose of raising a Revenue, and an Un- 
constitutional Tax, on the English American Colonies, 
made Several Acts highly Distressing to said Colonies in 
General and this Province in Particular ; by which Acts 
the Metropolis of this Province is Blocked up and dis- 
tressed : the Civil Government of the Province Altered 
(as far as by said Act it can be) in the most Material and 
priviledged Points thereof: and particularly tl\e Invalua- 
ble Right of a Trial by an uncorrupted "Jury Intirely 
Destroyed : 

2d. Therefore Resolved, that the Inhabitants of this 
Town now Assembled willin a Resolute, Manly and de- 
termined manner, pursue all such Legal and Constitutional 
methods as shall by the other Towns in this Province be 
thought Condifcive to the restoration of our Natural 
Rights as Men and our Political Rights as Englishmen, 
and that no Inconvenience however Injurious to the pri- 
vate Interest of any of us, shall be a Sufficient cause to 
break this Resolution : And whereas the Committee of 
Correspondence for the Town of Boston has Transmitted 
to us Papers to be Signed by the Inhabitants of this 
Town, Which Papers contain certain Covenant Oaths and 
Agreements that the Subscribers thereto Shall break off 
all Commercial Intercourse with the Island of Great 
Critain until the Oppressive Acts aforesaid are totally 
Repealed : and the Inhabitants of this Town being very 

24* 



ST9 HISTOftT or BACW 

Sensible that there is do Method yet Pointed out 
tends so much to the adTancinc ' the Opulence of this 
Country and happy Extrication of it from its present dif* 
iculties and Distresses as the Uoi^rsal Coming into and 
die Religious CNbsenration of those Covenant Oaths and 
AsreenseotSy or Others Somewhat Similar thereto : 

3d. It is Therefore Resolved that if the Committee 
eppointed by the late Honourable House of Represen- 
tatives of this Province to meet the Delates of the other 
Cdoaies in General Congress at Philadelphia er EUse- 
where. And the other Members of said Congress, shall 
Advise to a Universal Withdrawment of our Commerce 
with the Island of Great Britain until the aforesaid Op- 
pressive Acts of Parliament shall be Repealed, we wiH 
strictly Adhere thereto, And as our Depesdance under 
God ia chiefly placed in the Steady pursuance of auch 
wise Measures as Shall be Recommended by the Con- 



We Therefore Resolve that whatever Measure shall 
he hv said Congress Advised to and Complied with by 
the Maiority of the other towns in this Province, aball be 
Literalqr and Strictly adhered to by us-^ 

And we further Resolve that if any Person among us 
shall X>emean himself Contrary to any Plan that diaD 
be Laid for our Deliverance by the Congress and agreed 
to by this and the Majority of the other Towns in the 
Province, we will have no Society, Trade or Commevee 
with such Person, But will Esteem and Treat Mn aa an 
Enemy to his Country. — Attest, 

RisBwoRTH Jordan, !IWii Clerk,^ 

At a subsequent meeting, 22 Dec. 1774, a committee 
ef safety and inspection was appointed, composed of 
Rishworth Jordan, Esq. James Sullivan, Esq., Capt. Bern. 

Hooper, Thomas Gillpatrick, Capt. James P. Hilh Mr. i & 

Sullivan was chosen, at the same lime. Delegate to the 1 u: 

Provincial Congress, and empowered to correspond with j »« 

the neighboring towns. It was also voted, *Uhat the Dele- b 

gate inform the Congress that his Constituents think best ^ 

te keep their own money to form a magazine of their own : Y, 

for their own defence. Resolved, that R. Jordaoi J. \ ^ 



jam BSD9BFOB0. 979 

Suilifan, B. Hoojier, Jtnies Carlisle, Thomas GiBpatrick, 
Benj. Staples, Altiaoo Smith, Josiab Stimpson, Jere. Hiti 
jr. Simon Wingate, James Staples, Aaron Porter, Jere- 
miah Cole, be a committee to provide a town stock of 
six half barrels of Powder, 5 ewt« of lead, and a suffi- 
ciency of flints, according to the number of persons in 
the Train band and Alarm list in said town, four barrels 
of which powder, and the whole of the lead and flints 
are to be kept entire until the Town shall otherwise order, 
or it shall become necessary to deliver the same to the 
said persons in the Train band or Alarm list. Also, Re» 
solveid, that the said conomittee dispose of the other two 
half barrels of powder at a reasonable price to such of 
the inhabitants of the town as have a mind to purchase 
the same "with ready cash, to use it in defence of tbeir 
Country. Voted unanimously. Attest, James SuUivan, 
Moderator." 

Mr. Sullivan represented the town in the Provmcial 
Conness until 1776, when he was appointed a justice of 
the Superior Court. Soon after that time, he removed 
his family to Groton, Sfass. A profound respect was em 
entertained by our inhaUtants for the character and ta- 
lents of Mr. Sullivan from the period of his first settle- 
ment among them as a youi^ attorney. He was himself 
ready to acknowledge, at a late date, when holding a high 
and enviable rank among his contemporaries, the obl^a^ 
tkms which their favor had imposed on him. ^*1 have 
a fateful remembrance," be says in a letter to Col. Tris- 
tram Jordan, ^^f the marks of confidence, and the acts of 
kindness dooe me by the people on your river, and wfaeiv 
ever I can reciprocate dieir goodness, I shaU cbeerfiiUy^ 
do it." The patriotic views of Mr. Sullivan, aUy and 
eUxj^ntly expressed, on the commencement of lio8tili*« 
ties with Great Britain, materiallv assisted in securing a 
united support of the war, and a,fiarmony and concert of 
actKHi in both towns. The Rev. Mr. Morrill was ardent^ 
ly engaged in the same cause. This gentleman, in the 
language of one intimately associated with him at that 
period, ^^was a superior man ; of a deportment noble and 
dignified, seldom equalled, and never surpassed in this 
quarter* To this was added a capacity fuUy correspos* 



280 BISTORT OF SAOO 

ding ; iotelligent, easy of access, and coramuDicative, be 
ranked high as a scholar, as a divine, and as a statesaian. 
In such a melancholy season as our struggle for indepen- 
dence, considering the general weakness or ignorance of 
the people, the value of such a man was incalculable. 
So deep an interest did he take in that all important con- 
cern, as a statesman, he spared no pains to guide every 
one into the right way, nor did he fail in this. To his 
long standing there, and the confidence of the people in 
him, was it owing in a great measure, that the principles 
of independence were easly disclosed and generally eni- 
braced. A remarkably close and friendly intercourse be- 
tween Mr. Morrill and Mr. Sullivan, uniting their exer- 
tions, bore down all opposition." 

The committee of Correspondence, Inspection and 
Safety, in Biddeford, 1776, was composed of Benj. Na- 
son, Jonathan Smith, Joseph Morrill, John Dyer and 
Amos Gordon. The following order of the Mass. Coun- 
cil, accompanied by a copy of the Declaration of In- 
dependence, was received and complied with at this 
time: "In Council, July 17,1776. Ordered, that the 
Declaration of Independence be printed ; atid a Copy 
sent to the Ministers of each Parish, of every Denlbmina- 
tion, within this State ; and that they Severally be re- 
quired to Read the same to their respective Congrega- 
tions, as soon as Divine Service is ended, in the Afternoon, 
on the first Lord's Day after they shall have received it : 
And after such Publication thereof, to deliver the said 
Declaration to the Clerks of their Several Towns, or 
Districts; Who are Hereby Required to Record the 
same in their respective Town or District Books, there 
toJRemain as a perpetual Memorial thereof. In the 
name and by Order of the Council. R^ Derby, Presi- 
dent." 

The following year, 1777, the Committee of Corres- 
pondence consisted of James Sullivan, Esq. Jos. Morrill, 
Obed Emery, Jos. Tarbox, and James Emery. Thomas 
Cutts, Esq. reprejsented both towns in the Provincial 
Congress. Colonel Cutts was devotedly attached to 
the cause of the Revolution, notwithstanding his private 
interest suffered by the war to a ver}^ great extent ; for- 



j:^d bidbeford. 281 

tunately for the country, the zealous whigs of that day 
coifsidered their personal losses as light in the scale, when 
weighed against the sacred rights and cherished princi- 
ples, in deience of which they took up arms. The first 
Committee of Correspondence chosen in Pepperrellbo- 
rough, 9 NoF. 1774, was composed of Tristram Jordan, 
Esq. deacon Amos Chase, Paul Junkins, James Foss, 
and James Scamman. Messrs. Cutts and Junkins were 
appointed, at the same time, "Delegates for a County 
Congress." A separate Committee of Inspection was 
raised, "to see that the several Resolves of the Continen- 
tal, Provincial and County Congresses, be complied with 
in said Pepperrellboro'," consisting of T. Jordan, Esq., 
deacon A. Chase, R. Patterson, deacon S. Scamman, 
Jos. Libby, Humphry Pike, and Dominicus Scamman. 
At the March meeting 1775, it was voted "to divide 
the Militia Company in the District into four separate 
squadrons to exercise half a day, and once in every week, 
for three months to come, and to begin their Exercises at 
3 o'clock ill the afternoon and to have a teacher to learn 
them the military art, and said teacher to be paid out of 
the District treasur)' ; one part to be at the Old Orchard, 
so called ; another to be from Rumery's to the lower 
ferry ; another from said Rumery's up to the head of said 
District (or town,) 4md the other part at Dunstown so 
called." The last division included the families settled 
on the Scarboro' road, adjoining the parish of Dunston 
in that town. Rumery lived at the comer of the Old 
Orchard and Ferry roads. It was also voted, "to pay 
Jas. Sullivan, Esq. a proportionable part of his time and 
expense as a delegate to the Provincial Congress, with 
the town of Biddeford, forihe time passed." The Com- 
mittee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, the fol- 
lowing year, were T. Jordan, Esq., deacon A. Chase, 
deacon S. Scamman, Joseph Bradbury, and Richard 
Burke. In the summer of 1779, a meeting of the in- 
habitants was called, to see if they would send a rein- 
forcement to the army, when it was agreed, that all those, 
and those only, in the first place shall be drafted, that 
have not been heretofore drafted, and by law are liable 
to be drafted, except Lieut. James Foss's son who has 



S83 HffiTORT or SACQ 

agreed lo go into the Continental serviee, ftnd when anjr 

Cersons are drafted and shall pay their fine, said fine shall 
e laid out in hiring men for said Continental service and 
what sum or sums of money may be wanting after the 
fines aforesaid be laid for the purposes aforesaid, the se* 
lectraen shall have full liberty to raise money on the in- 
habitants of Pepperrellborough, in the same manner as 
other public taxes are raised, sufficient to pay what shall 
be wanting to pay the full hire of those men who shall or 
may agree to go into the Continental service for the town 
of Pepperrellborough in consequence of a resolve of the 
Great and General Court made and passed June 9, 1779." 
The next year, Capt. P. Junkins, Elisha Ayer, Nicholas 
Dennet, James Foss, Thomas Dearing, were chosen a 
committee of Safety and Correspondence. And it wa^ 
''voted to raise £350 for the men raised to go to Gam- 
den, if they go, otherwise to be paid to the treasurer io^ 
the town service." In October, the town ''voted to raise 
money to pay for beef for the army agreeable to a resolve 
of Court." In Januaiy, 1781, Messrs. Samuel Bootbby 
and James Cofiin were appointed "a committee to hire 
six or seven men as soldiers for the army on the town's 
account, and not to exceed $13 with the continental pay, 
per month." Tlie town was required at that time to sup- 
ply the army with eleven thousand and sixty two pounds 
of beef. The last committee of Safety was chosen 1782, 
and consisted of Col. James Scamman, Capt. Joseph 
Bradbury, Lieut. Samuel Chase, Lieut. William Cole, 
and Mr. James Cofiin. 

A large proportion of the inhabitants were occasionally 
in the service of the country during the war. Demands 
of men and provisions were constantly occurring, and it is 
believed no towns in this quarter contributed more liber- 
ly to the wants of the army in both particulars. The ex- 
act number of men furnished at difierent times, cannot 
now be ascertained, the necessary documents having per- 
ished. The names of all the ofiicers and soldiers, to 
whose contempt of danger, patient endurance of unnum- 
bered evils, and patriotic exertions, the whole country is 
under so great obligation, assuredly deserve to be kept in 
lasting remembrance, and to be inscribed in the annals of 



Aim Bii>DEroR]>. 989 

the towns and parishes to which they may have severally 
belonged. A general history of the war necessarily distin-* 
guishes but few of the actors, those only whose elevated 
rank, or signal daring, placed them in situations where 
they could be separated from the mass of heroes. As on 
the field of batde, the solid phalanx, with its principal 
leaders, can alone be discerned ; the individuals compo^ 
sing the valiant host sink inglorious, undistinguished, un* 
honored. It thus becomes the grateful duty of the lo<* 
cal annalist, whose range is circumscribed, to recall the 
names of the obscurest persons, where it is practicable, 
who ^^poured out their blood like water^' in a noble 
cause, and award to them the meed of praise which is 
their due. We would it were in our power to discharge 
this sacred obligation in a satisfactory manner, in reference 
to our townsmen, which the deficiency of materials, as al<* 
ready noticed, prevents. The names of such as have 
reached us, will, however, be given. 

Cd. James Scamman led a regiment to Cambridge 
early in 1775, and remained about one year. This gen- 
deraan was well fitted to shine in the military profession ; 
possessing energy^ vigor of mind and body, and a gaiety 
of temper that engaged the goodwill and attachment of 
those under his command. We have been assured 
by persons who served with him, that his bravery could not 
be justly questioned, and yet a misdirection of his regi* 
mentonthe memorable 17th of June, has been made 
the occasion of repiPoach. Col. Scammad received or- 
ders to repair to Bunker hill ; while on the march lear- 
ning that the enemy were landing at Lechmere's point, 
he deemed it his duty to advance on that quarter, and by 
this diversion failed to be in the battle which followed on 
Budker hill. An investisation of the Colonel's conduct 
soon after took place, before the proper tribunal, when he 
was honorably acquitted.' Attempts were, however, made 
to injure his reputation, by individuals who aspired to 
bis commission, and at the end of the year he resigned. 
Col. Scamman afterwards entered into trade with his 
brother, Mr. Nathaniel Scamman, and built the large 
bouse now in the rear of Messrs. Scamman & Andrews' 
stone block, where at that period they both lived. The 



384 HISTORY OF SACO 

latter subsequently built the house now occupied by bis 
son, Hon. George Scamman. The Colonel died 1804, 
at the age of sixty four years.* 

Maj. Rbenezer Ayer accompanied Arnold in the ex- 
pedition to Canada, through the wilderness' of the Ken- 
nebec, and was distinguished for his energy and bravery 
at that time. It is said he had the courage to saw off the. 
pickets of an English fort, to enable the party to scale 
the walls. Maj. Ayer afterwards served in the engineer 
department, with the rank of Major. He did not return 
to Saco on the close of the war. 

The late Jeremiah Hill, Esq. enlisted a company for 
three years' service, which he led to Boston. His bro- 
ther, Daniel Hill, now of Gorham, held the commission 
of ensign. This company joined the regiment of Col. 
Jos. Vose (of Milton) at West Point, and was at the taking 
of Burgoyne, Octo. 1777. Capt. Hill returned at the 
expiration of one year, having resigned his commission. 
In 177^9, he was appointed adjutant general of the forces 
sent by the State to Penobscot river. 

The following names are those of non-commissioned 
officers or privates in the continental service from Bid- 
deford. Bellamy Storer, Ta brother of the late C&pt. 
Seth Storer,) who died at Mount Independence, opposite 
Ticonderoga, 1776. John Hill, a brother of Capt. Hill, 
died of small pox at Brooklyn Fort, Long Island, the 
same year, where a grave stone was erected to his me- 
morv. He was twentv two years of age at the time of 
his death. Jotham HiU, (son to Mr. Ebenezer Hill,) died 
in the course of the war near Albany. John Peirce, 
lived at Limerick after the war. Aaron Gray, lately de- 
ceased, a pensioner under the act of 1818. Noah Smitli. 
James Urian. Ezekiel Gillpatrick. John Griffin Davis. 
Samuel Gillpatrick. Nath'l. Gillpatrick. Caleb Spofibrd, 
died in the war. John Lee. Joseph Linscott. Williaai 



*The following lines AirniBhed by the late Hon. Cyrus King, are . 
inscribed on his tomb : ''A man of infinite jest ', of most excellent 
fancy.** 'This stone to strangers may impart 

The place where Scamman lies; 
Bot every friend consalts his heart, 
For there he never dies.' 




AND BIDDXF0R9. 385 

Haley* 'Juines Pratt. Sylvanus Knox. Stephen Fletcher. 
Joshua McLucas, died in the war. John Haley, died at 
Mt. Independence. * Josiah Davis. The present survi- 
vors are the following : Col. John Smith, now of Hollis, 
a cnilitia officer since the war. Jeremiah Bettis, living at 
Little river, in the lower part of Biddeford, where he 
possesses a handsome estate. Ralph Emery. Philip 
Goldthwaite, keeper of the lighthouse on Wood island. 
Pelatiah Moore. Jos. Staples. Dominicus Smith. Benj. 
Goodridge. Joseph Hanscomb, now of Buxton. 

From Pepperrellboro' (now Saco,) the following per- 
sons were in the continental service at some period of the 
war. John Googins, killed in the action at Hubbards- 
town, July 7, 1777, the day after the evacuation of Ti- 
conderoga by the American troops. John was in the rear 
guard commanded by Col. Francis, a very gallant officer, 
who fell in the same engagement. Stephen. Sawyer, son 
of David Sawyer, sen., died in the army. John Hoo- 

CJT, died during the war at Boston. Abiel Beetle, Nicho- 
s Davis, Jonathan Norton, Daniel Bryant, James Scam- 
roan, son of Mr. Ebenezer Scamm^n, John Tucker, 
John Runnels, John Ridlon, John Carll, Eben. Carll, 
Evans Carll, William Carll, (sons of Mr. Robert Carll ; 
the name was often written Kearl.) Levi Foss, Pelatiah 
Foss ; the last fell at Ticonderoga ; sons of Mr. Walter 
Foss. Zechariah Foss, Elias Foss, sons of Mr. Joseph 
Foss. John Duren. Anthony Starbird. William Star- 
bird, died in the army. William Berry. James Evans. 
Samuel Sebastian, diefd on- North river. Joseph Norton. 
Maj. Stephen Bryant, an officer in the militia' since the 
war. Josiah Davis. Joseph Richards. Those now h'v- 
ing are : Ephraim Ridlon, Stephen Googins, who enlis- 
ted for the year 1776, and were in the company of Capt. 
Watkins, under Col. Edmund Phinney of Gorham. 
Ephraim enlisted again 1777, in Col. John Crane's regi- 
ment of artillery, and was gone three years, two of which 
be was waiter to Gen. Knox. Thomas Means, under 
Capt. Hart Williams, regiment, of Col. Phinney. Solo- 
mon Hopkins. James Edgecotnb. Solomon Libby. 

A company was raised Feb. 1776, for a short term of 
service, from Buxton, Arundel, Biddeford, and Pepper- 



386 HIBTORT or SACO 

i^nb6ro% MmtAarided by C«pt. John Eldien, of ^iTxtOD. 
The other officers were, 1st Lietit« Amos Towne, of 
Arundel ; 2d Lieut. Samuel ScaiAnan (late deacon) ; 
Ensign Jeremiah Cole, of Biddefdrd. The subordinate 
officers and privates from Biddeford were the following : 
Moses Bradbury, John Poak, Elijah Littlefield, Peircd 
Bickford, Phineas Mclntire, Thos. Gillpatrick, William 
Nason, John Chase, fnow of SacO,) Jona. Stickney, 
Humphry Dyer, Jacob Townsend, Timothy Cole, Jede- 
diah Smith, Eliakim Tarbox, Jona. Smith, John Gillpat- 
rick, Chris. Gillpatrick, Dodivah Bickford, Benj. Wood- 
man. From Pepperrellboro' ; Jerathu^l Bryant, Johd 
Muchemore, Daniel Field, David Clark, Abner Sawyer", 
Joseph Norton, Andrew Patterson, David Sawyei*, jr., 
James Edgecomb, Robert Bond, Daniel Field jr., Abra- 
ham Patterson, Moses Ayer, John Young, Hezekiab 
Young, Joseph Patterson, Wm. P. Moody, Samuel Den- 
net, John Scamman, Samuel Lowell. The company be^ 
longed to the regiment of militia under Col. Lemuel 
Robinson. Al(hd' gone but about two months, they as^ 
sisted in the very important and admirably eitecuted ser- 
vice, of fortifying Dorchester heights on the night of 
March 4. Dr. Thacher, who was in a relief party cm^ 
dered on the ground the next moriling, arrived there at 
the early hour of 4, when, he says, *'we found two Torts 
in considerable forwardness, and sufficiient for a defence 
against small arms and grape shot. The amount &f la- 
bor performed during the night, considering the earth is 
frozen eighteen inches deep, is almost incredible. The 
enemy having discovered our works in the morning, com- 
menced a tremendous cannonade from the forts in Boih 
ton, and from their shipping in the harbor. Carinon shot 
are continually rolling and rebounding Over the bill, and 
it is astonishing to observe how little ouir troops are terri- 
fied by them."* 

Several privateers were fitted out frorti the river durinjg 
the war. The Thrasher, commanded by Capt. Benj. 
Cole, performed two or t|iree cruises, but without accon*- 
plishinq: iiuch. The vessel is said to have been partly 



i', M 



^Military JoomaK 47. 



AND BlSiDEFOB;!). 28T 



owned in Salem. Mr. Elisha Ayer buih a cutter 
jMaia street, Dear the Thofnton house, for Mr. Gray, of 
Salem ; she was manned here for the first cruise. Qtbem 
^ere fitted out at difiereiu times, by Col. Morrill and Dc» 
Fairfield. A few prizes were taken by them on the eaa- 
tern coast, but of little value. 

To this list of revolutionary^ worthies, we add the 
names of those citizens «(rho were engaged in the war« 
and have since settled in the towns. Seth Spring, £s^ 
was in the battle of Bunker hill, and continued three 
years in the service. He came to Biddeford about 178& 
Hon. Joseph Leiand was also at Bunker bill in n 
companv from Grafton, Mass. being at that time eighteen 
years of age. Mr. Leiand remained in the army through 
ihe war, having received (he commission of ensign at 
twenty, and afterwards that of lieutenant. He came to 
this town soon after the peace. Daniel Granger, Esq* 
from Andover, Mass. was a short time in the continental 
service. Deacon Samuel Woodsum was taken prisoner 
by a party of Indians under Brandt, in New York, and 
was sent to Canada, where he remained until peace took 
place. In 1783, deacon Woodsum bought a piece pf 
wild land in the corner of the town, adjoining the river 
and Buxton line, now a very excellent farm. Mr. Ben- 
jamin Simpson, from York, was out during a part of the 
war. He commenced clearing the well improved estate 
on which he now lives, ^bout ]790.* Capt. Abraham 
Tyler, from Scarbpro', (Blue-point,) was in the service 
the last three years of the war. Jesse Whitney was also 
put, and is now ti pensioner. Two are deceased : Lieut* 
Afoses Banks, from Scarboro', (originally of York,) an 
officer in Phinney's regiment} well known since the war 



*Afr. Simpson assisted in the destruction of the tea at Boston, 16 
December, 1773. At our request he has famished the foUowing ac- 
eount of what he personally witnessed in relation to that afikir. ''I 
was then an apprentice to a bricklayer, when two ships and a brig 
with tea on board arrived at Boston, with heavy duties, which thft 
Bostonians would not consent to paj. The town being alarmed at 
mch proceedings, called townmeetmgs day afler day, night after 
»ight. , The captain of the f)rst ship that arrived, went (from the 
townmeeting) to the governor to see if he would give his ship a pass- 
port out by Castle island- At his return in the evening, (tne town 



288 HISTORY OF SACO 

as a skilful surveyor and draughtsman ; he died in Saco, 
1825, aged 92. David Batchelder, who served also in 
the French war, died at Old Orchard, 1828, aged 88. 

The only persons in the two towns who were opposed 
to the war, were Dr. Alden and Capt. Philip Goldth- 
waite. The former was mobbed by a party from 6or- 
' ham, consisting of thirty or forty soldiers, at the illjud^ed 
'instigation, it is said, of Col. Pkinney and others of that 
place. The men were armed, and ha?lng taken the doc- 
tor, placed him in a kneeling posture on a hogshead, in 
front of deacon Scamman's house, then a tavern. In this 
situation, with the soldiers paraded around him, presenting 
their guns to his body, he was required to recant his opin- 
ions, or suffer instant death. A confession was read to 
him, which he signed, stating that he had done wrong in 
justifying the proceedings of Parliament ; expressing his 
sorrow for every act of opposition to the whigs of which 
he had been guilty, and promising that in future he would 
be peaceable in his deportment, and aid the cause of 
Liberty as much as was in his power. '^This," be was 

« 

waiting the result of the application ,) he was asked the governor's 
answer, which was that he should not grant a pass unless she was 
well qualified from the Customhouse. After the captain reported 
this answer to the meeting) a voice was heard in the gallery, hope 
she wiU be well quafified. ihe captain was then asked if he would 
take charge of the ship and carry her out of Doston, notwithstanding 
the refusal of the governor ; to which he answered, No. (A whistle 
in the gallery — call to order.) The meeting was then declared to be 
dissolved, (in the gallery, Every man to his tent !) We repaired to 
the wha,rf where the ships lay I went on board one or both ships, 
but saw no person belonging to them. In a few minutes a number 
of men came on the wharf, (with the Indian ootooio,) went on board 
the ships then lying at the side of the wharr, the water in the dock 
not more than twoteet deep, fhey began to throw the tea into the 
water which went off with the tide till the tea grounded. We soon 
found there was tea on board the brig ; a demand being made of it, 
the captain told us the whole of his cargo was on board ; thatt the tea 
was directly under the hatches, which ne would open if we would 
not damage any thing but the tea ; which was agreed to. The hatch- 
es were then opened ; a man sent down to show us the tea, which 
we hoisted out, stove the chests, threw tea and all overboard. Those 
on board the ships, did the same. I was on board the ships when the- 
tea was so high by the side of them as to fall in ; which was shovel- 
led down more than once. We on board the brig were not disguised. 
I was then 19 years old, am now seventy five. — (Signed,) 

BBNJAMiN SlMPSOir.'^ 



AND BIDDEFORD*, 289 

compelled to say in conclusion, '^I heartily promise, and 
bind myself to, and am very thankful for my life." He 
was then discharged. The transaction was generally 
disapproved by our Inhabitants, none of whom joined the 
party. Dr. Alden finally removed to Scarboro'. Capt. 
Goldthwaite lived at Winter Harbor, and exercised the 
office of inspector for thi« port under the provincial 
.government. He put himself under British protection "as 
soon as the war commenced. His brother, Jos. Goldth* 
waite, Esq. of Boston, is named in the act relating to re- 
fugees, passed 1778. 



CHAPTER Vin. 



A meeting of the inhabitants of Biddeford was holden 
May 22, 1 780, "to see if the town would approve, al- 
ter, or reject the new form of Government made by the 
Convention at Cambridge, March 2, 1780." There- 
cord is as follows : "The honorable Rishworth Jordan, 
Moderator. Adjourned to Monday, 29 inst. 2 o'clock 
P. M. Monday, May 29^ 1780. Met according to ad- 
journment. Resolved, that there be a form of govem- 
juent set up as absolutely necessary. Resolved, to accept 
the form aforementioned with the following alteration in 
the tenth Article of the second Chapter : All military of^ 
ficers ought to be appointed and commissioned by the 
Governor by and with advice of Council ; Except, all 
Aids-de-carap ought to be appointed by their own Maj. 
Generals, Brigade Majors by their Brigadiers or Com- 
mandants of Brigades, Adjutants and Quartermasters by 
their Colonels or Commanding Officers of Regiments, 
and Commissioned by the Grovernor with advice of Coun- 
cil ; for the following reasons : 1. Because they are liable 
to be under control by being dependent on the soldiers 
ifor their commissions, and therefore cannot act free and 
independent. 2. Because they are liable to be degraded 
or superseded in case of a vacancy by the soldiers, if 

25* 



4 



S90 ROTOHT or f4CO 

tiiey do not act in eonfortnity to their wilb imd eapn* 
cious humors, without reason or against reason." 

Other towns suggested alterations ifi like manner, ea** 
pecially in regard to ttie third artide of the bill of rights^ 
*^But their acceptance of the Constitution did not de- 
pend upon the adoption of these amendments. Nor wa» 
It in the power of the Convention to incorporate them kh 
to the instrument, without another appeal to the peopli^ 
which would not have been judicious."* 

The first election of State officers took place 4 Sept 
1780. JoBN Hancock was chosen governor four years 
in succession, after which he declined being a candidate 
for the office. The votes in Saco (Pepperrellboro') 1780, 
were, for Hancock 7, for James Bowdoin 3 y 1781, for 
Hancock 27, for Bowdoin 2 ; 1782-3, all for Hancock. 
The votes in Biddeford the first two years are not recor- 
ded ; 1782f the whole nUmber, 14, were for Hancock. 
The number of votes cast in the county of York, that 
year, for state officers, was 161. Mr. Bowdoin was 
elected governor 1785-6, after which Gov. Hancock was 
again called to the chair, whirh he filled until his deaths 
Octo. 17^. In 1785, (when Gov. Hancock was not t 
candidate,) the whole nun>ber of voles in Saco were 
thrown for Gen. Benj. Lincoln ; the next year there was 
a majority for Gov. Bowdoin. In 1794, Samuel Adams 
received a majority ©f the votes of the town for governor^ 
and the two succeeding years the whole number thrown. 
After the resignation of Gov. Adams, 1797, the votes in 
Saco stood, for Jaines Sullivan 52, for Increase Sumne^ 
2. The next year, (Mr. Sullivan having withdrawn,) 
Cbv. Stimner had a majority. 

There was no choice of senators in York County 178(yj 
the four highest candidates were Edw. Cutts, of Kittery, 
Benjamin Chadboume, of Berwick, Nathaniel Wells, of 
Wells, and Risbworth Jordan, of Biddeford ; of whom 
the two former were elected by the Legislature. At sub* 
sequent periods, Saco has furnished four members of the 
Mass. Senate, vis. Col. Tristram Jordan, 1787 ; Joseph 
Bartlett, 1804; <loseph Leiand, 1805 and 1808; Col. 
William Moody, 1812-19. ' 

*0ndlbrd. Hiat Mast. u. 186. 



•■^•i 



AND BIDOnrOBD. 291 

Col. Jordan, whose early settlement at the Falls has 
been noticed, removed to bis estate at Deep-brook about 
the close of the revolutionary war, where be died 1821, 
at the age of ninety years. He was eminently the father 
of the town ; no other individual was so often entrusted 
with the direction of its affairs, or exercised an equal de* 
gree of influence during the early period of its separate 
incorporation. He was at the same time distinguished 
for his private enterprise and assiduous attention to busi« 
ness. Having been engaged when a young man in severe 
al short voyages, he received the offer of an European 
ship, before he became of age, which he declined, not 
choosing to follow the sea. One of his trips to Halifax, 
N. S. is worthy of notice. That town was laid out, and 
i(i settlement commenced, 1749, under the direction of 
Col. Cornwallis, the governor of the colony. Three hun- 
dred houses were built the first year,* of which the ma- 
terials were partially supplied from this quarter. Young 
Jordan was employed in this business, and on one occa- 
sion took out with him the frame of the first church erec- 
ted in Halifax, which he bad contracted with Cornwallis 
to furnish. The timber was from Deep-brook. At a 
later date. Col. Jordan was best known as a magistrate, 
having performed the greater part of the duties devolving 
on a justice of the peace, for the east side of the river, 
until quite advanced in life. His first wife, died 1775; 
their children were two sons and seven daughters. Of the 
latter, Elizabeth, the eldest, was married to WilUam Vau- 
ghan, Esq. of Scarboro', afterwards of Portland, 1772; 
Sarah, to Mr. Nathaniel Scamman 1775 ; Hannah, t* 
Capt. Solomon Coit, the same year, and after his decease, 
to James Perkins, Esq. of Kennebunk-port, 1797 ; Olive,' 
to Capt. Setb Storer, 1776 ; Mary, to Daniel Granger, 
Esq. 1792. Capts. Coit and Storer were eminent ship* 
masters at a period when the art of navigation was not 
so generally understood as at the present time. The for- 
mer built the house now occupied by Capt. Samuel 
Hartley. Col. Jordan was twice married after the de^ 
cease of his first wife, and left two sons and a daughter 

by the last connection. 

•."■^■^.^■^■■•^ • I — .,.,,„^^^,„^^^„^,^^^„^^,,^^^^^ 

*HftUbQrton. Hist. N, Bootia. iL IS. 



^ 



992 HISTORY OF 8AC0 

The second gentleman who was elected to the Senate 
from Saco, Joseph Bartlett, Esq. the eccentric author of 
"Aphorisms" &c. practised law several years in town, at 
first with good reputation. The year in which he was 
chosen senator, Mr. Bartlett received nearly all the votes 
in Saco, and a large majority in Biddeford. He remo- 
ved afterwards to Portsmouth, N. H. A singularly con- 
structed, but not inelegant house, which he built, stan- 
ding near the site of the old Ferry house, remains a 
characteristic monument of its projector. Mr. Bartlett 
was supposed to be the conductor of the "Freeman's 
Friend," a newspaper published in town 1805-6, by 
Mr. William Weeks. He was undoubtedly the principal 
contributer to its columns. ' 

The services of Col. William Moody in the Mass. 
Senate, were continued through eight successive terms. 
The general support which he received from the towns 
in the county, is sufficient evidence of the high estima- 
tion in which he was held as a public man. His father, 
William Pepperell Moody, came to this town from Kit- 
tery, and was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. 
^Samuel Scamman, 1763. William was born July 10, 
1770, and waS seventeen years of age at the time of his 
father's decease. He enjoyed no further advantages of 
education than were afforded by the common district 
schools ; of the full benefit of even these, he was partial- 
ly deprived by the early necessity of applying 4o a means 
of support. His father and grandfather were joiners ^y 
occupation ; the latter, Mr. (Edmund Moody, was the ar- 
chitect of the first meetinghouse in Saco, as already sta- 
ted ; and the former early initiated his son in the same 
business, which he ever after pursued. Col. Moody re- 
presented the town in the Legislature eight years in suo* 
cession, from 1804 to 1812 ; and during that period, and 
the succeeding eight years, in the other branch, he he- 
came by the force of native intellect alone, without the 
benefit of early cultivation, a prominent and highly use- 
ful member of that body. In the Convention by which 
the Constitution of Maine was formed, having been elec^ 
ted one of the delegates from Saco, Col. Moody often 
took part in the debates, and was distinguished for the 



AND BIDDEFORD. 293 

ease and clearness with which be expressed his views. 
He was returned a member of the first Senate of Maine, 
and presided over its deliberations after the resignation of 
Gen. Chandler. About the same time he was appointed 
Sheriff of York County. His death occurred suddenly, 
March 1 5, 1 822, while he was in the midst of life and 
usefulness, and was universally lamented. 

In the course of the war, Feb. 9, 1778, died the Rev. 
Moses Morrill. The names of his children, born 1744-76, 
are the following : Samuel Jordan, John, Joseph, Sarah, 
Hannah, Olive, Mary, Elizabeth, Tristram, Abigail, Tris- 
tram, Nahum, and Moses. He was succeeded in the 
ministry by the Rev. Nathanael Webster. The or- 
dination of this gentleman took place April 14, 1779. 
The town voted him a salary of £75, to be paid in the 
following manner : 45 bushels of corn, at 4^. ; 4 bushels 
rye, at 6g. ; 400 lbs. pork, at 5d. ; 50 lbs. wool, at is, 
Sd.; 50 lbs. flax at 8<2. ; 100 lbs. butter atSc^; ^46 
lbs. beef at 20^. per cwt. ; 1 quintal fish 21^. ; 2 tons 
good English hay at £3. The salary was soon after 
raised to £80, ($266,66.) A separate parish, called the 
Second Religious Society in Biddeford, was incorporated 
1797. The principles on which this society was formed, 
were professedly liberal, as the following article from 
its Rules and Regulations sufficiently shows : *^To pre- 
vent all religious disputes respecting doctrines, as every 
Christian, or religious Society, has an undoubted right to 
put his or their construction upon the Scriptures, a point 
of Orthodoxy, or a mere Article of faith, shall never be 
a fit subject to lay before any council, reference, or any 
description of Men whatever." The upper meeting- 
house was built by the Society at that time. The first 
regular pastor was the Rev. John Turner, previouslv 
of Alfred, who was installed 1808. Mr. Turner remai- 
ned until 1817, when his connexion with the Society 
was dissolved. In the year 1823, the Rev. Thomas 
Tract, from Cambridge, came to Biddeford, and preach- 
ed several sabbaths so nmich to the satisfaction of the 
Society, that a call was soon after given him to settle 
Vith them for the terrli of five years ; which he accepted, 
and was ordained Jan. 14, 1824. Many of the most 



894 IH8TOBT OV 8ACi> 

f^cient members of the society were resident ia Saco, 
and on the formation of the Second Parish in this town, 
it was agreed that Mr. Tracy should transfer to it his 
pastoral care. He was accordingly installed in Saco» 
Wov. 21, 1827. The meetinghouse was dedicyted at th^ 
aarae time. It is a handsome edifice, 76 feet in length 
by 46 in breadth ; built on contract by Mr. John John- 
son. Mr. Tracy's connection with the Parish was dis- 
solved in the autumn of 1828. 

An act of incorporation was obtained by the First Par- 
ish in Biddeford, 1798. The Rev. Mr. Webster was 
invited to continue the pastor, and accepted. In 1825, 
he consented to have a colleague, and, Octo. 26, Rev. 
Jonathan Ward, jr. of Plymouth, N. H. was ordained. 
Mr. Ward died early the following year. He was suc- 
ceeded, on a temporary engagement, by Rev. D. D. 
Tappan, now of Alfred. In January, 1828, the present 
pastor, Rev. Christopher Marsh, was ordained, and 
receives a united support from members of both Parishes, 
preaching alternately in the two churches. After the set- 
tlement of Rev. Mr. Marsh, the senior pastor withdrew 
from the labors of the ministry, in which he had been 
so long and happily engaged, and took up his residence 
with a son in law in Portland. He died 8 March, 1830, 
aged eighty one years. Mr. Webster was born at King- 
ton, N. H. and graduated at Harvard Coll. 1769. Two 
of his sermons have been printed, one of which, deliver'* 
ed before a convention of ministers at Buxton, 1815, in- 
culcates the sufficiency of the scriptures, independent of 
creeds, as a standard of religious faith. The character 
jof Mr. Webster was that of a cheerful and benevolent 
man ; by the practice of the social virtues, in which be 
excelled, he attached to himself the best affections of hip 
people. 

The ministerial labors of the Rev. Mr. Fairfield wer^ 
continued during a period of thirty six years. "Oa 
April 2, 1798, at his repeated request," as it appears frorp 
a record of that date, "a perfect harmony subsisting her 
tween him and the People, he was dismissed from th^ 
work of the ministry in Pepperrellboro*, by the Peoplci 
i^ tbeir meeting oo t)iat day." Mr, Fairfield perfpri^eigl 



AND BIDDCFORD. 89S 

kt a diligent and satisfactory manner the duties which de^ 
volve on a pastor and teacher. Possessing a thorough 
acquaintance with the sacred volume, he infused its spirit 
into bis discourses, which were prepared with the utmost 
care, and, in point of style, were not unworthy his repi]% 
tation as a scholar. During his ministry the number of 
baptisms was 778 ; of admissions to the covenant, 177 ; 
to full church membership, 9. The exactness with which 
Mr. Fairfield recorded the memoranda from which the 
above statement is gathered, and others of a similar char- 
acter, shows that he was not^ inattentive to the smallest 
clerical duty. The records which he has thus left, rela- 
ting to the people of his parish, are minute and extremely 
valuable. Mr, Fairfield resided in Biddeford several 
years prior to his decease ; he died 16 December, 1819, 
aged eigiity three years. His funeral was attended by 
tt^ neighboring clergy ; prayers were offered on the oc^ 
casion by Rev. Mr. Lancaster, of Scarboro' ; and a ser- 
mon delivered by Rev. Mr. Webster. ^ In concluding this 
brief and imperfect notice of the gentlemen to whom 
our inhabitants for so long a period looked op for advice 
and direction in their religious, moral, and even tempos 
ral concerns, we cannot refrain from noticing the facttbat 
their relations with each other were ever of the most 
friendly character. No root of bitterness seems to have 
sprung up to mar the pleasures of a constant intercourse 
on terms of the strictest intimacy. Messrs. Morrill and 
Fairfield invariably passed one day in seven together, du- 
ring the time in wnich they were fellow laborers in the 
work of the ministry. Their houses were situated on not 
very remote points of the river, and usually on Monday 
morning of eachweek one of them crossed alone in a boat, 
to pass the day with his friend. With the successor of 
Mr. Morrill, an intercourse equally cordial was maintai- 
ned by Mr. Fairfield, which teiminated only with life. 
A similar remark may be extended to the other neighbo- 
ring ministers, whose mutual friendship was undisturbed 
by professional jealousies, or the agitation 6f doctrinal 
disputes. . Mr. Webster has been often heard to say, that 
in foifmer times there was not a clergyman between his 
parish and Boston with whom he was not enabled to exr 



S96 BISTORT or SACO 

change ; such was the harmony then existing in the re- 
ligious community. 

Mr. Elihu Whitcomb, a graduate of Harvard Coll. 
1793, was ordained successor to Mr. Fairfield, 3 July, 
J799. The discourse on this occasion, afterwards prin- 
ted, was delivered by Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, D D. of 
Lancaster, Mass. The present spacious meetinghouse 
of the First Parish was erected dunng the ministry of Mr. 
Whitcomb, who preached at its dedication, Feb. 12, 
1806. The discourse was printed. The edifice was re- 
garded as the largest and most elegant in Maine for a 
considerable period. Its dimensions are 90 feet in length 
by 54 in breadth ; the spire 126 feet in height. The cost 
was estimated at $18000. The building committee, of 
the proprietors were deacon S. Scamman, Foxwell Cutts, 
Esq. Capt. Seth Storer, James Gray, Esq. and Mr. Ed- 
mund Moody. The master builder was Mr. Bradbqjy 
Johnson. The old house (which was 54 by 40 feet,) 
served several years the purpose of a townhouse. 

Mr. Whitcomb discontinued preaching in the summer 
of 1810. He was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Cogs- 
well, from Rowley, Mass. a graduate of Harvard CoU. 
1806. The ordination of Mr. Cogswell took place 24 
Octo. 1810; sermon by the late Rev. Dr. Appleton, 
president of Bowdoin Coll. ; charge by Rev. Paul Cof- 
fin, D. D. of Buxton ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. 
John Turner, of the Second Parish in Biddeford. Mr. 
Cogswell sustained his connexion with the town for fifteen 
years, at the expiration of which period the society 
was constituted a distinct parish. In October, 1828, in- 
duced by the failure of his heahh, Mr. Cogswell resign- 
ed his pastoral relation, after a laborious and successful 
ministry of nearly eighteen years. He is now happily 
settled in the town of New Britain, Conn. The present 
pastor of the First Parish, the Rev. Samuel Johnson, a 
graduate of Bowdoin Coll. 1817, was installed Nov. 5, 
1828. 

About the year 1782, a few converts were made in the 
north part of the town, to the religious belief of the 
Freewill Baptists, under the preaching of Elders 
Randall and Hubbard. The number was not much in- 



.AND BIDOEFOBO. 297 

creased until 1 808, when a church consisting of 85 mem- 
bers, was organized. The present meetinghouse, 44 by 
36 feet, was erected the following year ; its distance from 
the Falls is about six miles. The society was incorpo- 
rated ]8ll. Elder George Parcher was qualified as 
a preacher in 1810, and has continued from that time to 
the present, the stated minister of the society. 

A Calvanistrc Baptist Society, composed of families 
in Buxton and the upper part of Saco, was incorpora- 
ted 1807. A meetinghouse had been built five years 
before, which stands on the line dividing the two towns. 
The Rev. Abner Flanders formerly preached alternately 
in tliis house and in Buxton. The dimensions of the 
bouse are 46 by 36 feet. 

In February, 1827, a church of the same denomina- 
tion was formed in the village, under the ministry of Rev. 
Frederic Clarke, consisting originally of seven members^ 
the present number is forty six. The frame of a mee- 
tinghouse, yet unfinished, was raised by this society in the 
fall of 1828. Their meetings are now held in a vestry. 

A class or society of Wesleyan Methodists was for- 
med in Saco, under the preaching of Rev. Asa Heath, 
1804 ; the number, at first about twenty, has increased 
to nearly fifty. The town has been a station only two 
years, having previously formed a part of a Circuit. The 
first methodist sermon preached in Maine, was delivered 
in this place, at the house of Mr. Elisha Ayer, Sept. 10, 
1793, by Rev. Jesse Lee, of Virginia, author of a His- 
tory of Methodism.* 

An Episcopal Society was incorporated March, 1827. 
A church was erected the same year, 65 feet by 46, the 
cost of which, including the land, is estimated at $4500. 
The exterior of the echfice is in the Gothic style, and ex? 
bibits a handsome appearance. The first minister of this 
denomination in Saco, since the time of the original 
colonists, was the Rev. Eleazer M. P. Wells, now of 
South Boston, under whose temporary labors the society 
was formed. He was succeeded by the Rev. Horatio 
Potter, at present a Professor, and Rev. Samuel Fuller, 

*Gre.ul>'af £cci cikoUshas. 280. 
"■ 26 



<d6S wstoihr or 8A€o 

-ft tutor, in Wiuhtngton Coll. Hartford, Conn. In Feb. 

1829, Rev. Clcment F. Jones was instituted Rector, 
«but, in consequence of ill health, resigned the situation 
-m August following. The Rev. Gideon W. Olney, late 

"of Gardiner, has since officiated as Rector. 

The ''First Universalist Society of Saco and Bidde- 

ford" was .formed in April, 1827, and consisted at that 
Jtime of thirty one members. The Rev. Jacob Wood 
-was their minister durmg one year. 

A site for a Roman Catholic chapel was purchased 
•by Father French, and conveyed to the Bishop of Bos* 
'^lon, in trust for the CathoKcs of Saco, March, 1827. It 
-is on the comer of Elm and North streets (Buxton 

road). No further measures have yet been taken for the 
-erection of a church. 



■I I — .— — ^— — — ■*.ai»^fc 



CHAPTER IX. 



The immediate successor of Mr. Sullivan in the {nrac- 

:tice of law at Biddeford, was the late Hon. Geobcie 
Th AGREE, whp came about 1782, having previously resi- 

I ded a short time at York. On the termination of the 
war, business became once more flourishing on the river, 
and enterprising men from various parts of New Eqglaad 
removed into this quarter. The interior at the distance 
of a few miles only from the sea, had remained compara- 
tively wild and uncleared, notwithstanding the antiqu^y 
of the maritime settlements, and the proprietors were just 

-beginning to look up their lands, to which the titles in 
many instances going back to a remote period, were not 

* established without difficulty. Litigation under these 
circumstances was unavoidable. Mr. Thacher, who hi^d 

Jirepared himself for his profession in a very diligent a&d 
iaithful manner, almost immediately entered upon a great 
extent of practice, and became highly popular and suc- 
jcessful as an advocate, attending the terms of the courts 
in all the counties of the District. ^'He had great acute- 



AND BIDDSFO&Sir 2$f^, 

ness of mind/' says a distinguished cot^raporaryi in aq: 
elegant tribute to the memory of our townsuvmi "mucbN 
law learning, and was able to bring to his aid in argument) 
more general knowledge on scientific subjects tbanany 
of bis competitors." In the meantime^ before the adop-. 
tion of the Federal.Constitution, he was chosen by the; 
Alass. Legislature a delegate to Congress, and afterwards^ 
was successively elected by the people a member of tl^ 
house of Representatives in Congress, until 1801, wbea^ 
he resigned bis seat, and accepted the appointment of an. 
associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Mass. 
*While in Congress," in the words of the writer already? 
quoted, ''Judge Thacber was by no means an undistin^ 
guished member. The debates of that period will show 
that he tbok an active part in all the important con- 
cerns of the time, and his speeches will be found to con- 
tain, in the midst of frequent irony and sometimes* sharp 
satire, much useful information and sound argument. 

* * * "On the bench of the Supreme Court, Judge 
Tbacher was a faithful and upright public servant. His 
mind was well stored with l^gal principles, and his strong 
memory enabled him to apply them to the question that 
oconrred, with great facility* * * * His asssoeiates upoi> 
the bench have been often heard to say, that in their coq- 
fukations upon cases argued, his discriminating powers, 
sound technical knowledge, and recollection of old casesi 
not reported, have been invaluable to them. His integri- 
tjf independence, impartiality and firmness have been 
surpassed by none who have adorned the seat of justice." 

Judge Thacher was a descendant, of the fourth genera- 
tion, from Anthony Tbacher, a planter, who came to 
New England 1635, and was one of three grantees of 
land at Yarmouth, in the Colony of Plymouth, Jan. 7, 
1638-9, where he settled the same year. He died 1668, 
at an advanced age*. His son, Col. Jolm Thacher, of 



* "An Essay for the recording of illustrioas ProvideneeB," bj Dr. 
Increase Matfaer, contains a letter from Anthony Thacher to his bro- 
ther, Rev. Peter Thacher, of Sarum, Eng. describing the shipwreck 
of himself and family, with many others, on an island near Salem 
harbor, since called Thacker's island^ 14 Aog. 1635. They had em- 
barked at Ipswich, Mass. for Marblohea^* Non^ were saved except 
Mr, Thacl^er apd his wi{e« 



300 HI8T0HT or SACO 

Yarmouth, was elected a member of the provincial Council 
on the union of Plymouth Colony with Mass. Bay, under 
the charter of 1692, and continued in that capacity near- 
ly twenty years. Peter Thacher, the oldest son of the 
Colonel, was appointed a justice of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, 1720 ; he also resided at Yarmouth, where 
his son, Peter Thacher jr. the father of our respected 
townsman, was bom and passed his life. He married 
Anner, daughter of Mr. George Lewis, of Barnstable; 
the Judge was the youngest but one of their eleven chil- 
dren, and was born 12 April, 1754. He was prepared 
for college by Rev. Timothy Hilliard, of Barnstable, af- 
terwards of Cambridge, and graduated at Harvard Coll. 
1776. He pursued the study of law with S. Bourne, 
Esq. of the former town, but was employed as an instruc* 
ter some time before' he commenced the practice. Soon 
after settling in Biddeford, he married Sarah, daughter of 
Samuel Phillips Savage, Esq. of Weston, Mass. July 20, 
1784. Mr. Savage, his father in law, had resided in 
Boston before the war, and was among the leading wbigs 
of that period. 

On the separation of Maine, Judge Thacher removed 
to Newburyport, where he resided until January, 1824. 
He resigned his 6ffice at that time, and returned to pass 
the remainder of his life, already protracted beyond his 
own anticipations, in that retirement which, in bis best 
days, he had sought and loved. He died on the 6 April 
following, and was buried in the graveyard adjoining the 
meetinghouse of the Second Society. His children were 
five sons and five daughters ; of the latter, Lucy Savage, 
wife of the late Col. Abner Sawyer, died Aug. 1820. 
The others survived their father. The house in which 
Judge Thacher lived during nearly the whole period of 
his abode in Biddeford, is situated about one mile west of 
the Falls ; it is a plain, unostentatious dwelling, consisting 
of one story, with nothing about it of an ornamental na- 
ture except a few fir trees of singular beauty. The of- 
fice or study of the Judge was opposite the house, an^ 
contained bis valuable library, which comprised a rare 
collection of legal, philosophical and theological works. 
A part of these he bequeathed to Bowdoin College. 



/ 



AltD BIDDCFOEi>« 



mi 



'the habits of the Judge were eminently studious ; in the 
vacations, a book was usually his steady companionr He. 
read slowly, and with so perfect an abstraction of the at- 
tention, that he suffered no interruption in the midst of his 
family. He was far, however, from being averse to so- 
ciety^ none surpassed him in the disposition and the 
power to render those around him happy. His company 
was eagerly sought by the young as well as the old, on all 
social occasions, to which his presence added freedom ra-? 
ther than restraint. His religious opinions were of a lib- 
eral character ; having formed an acquaintance with Dr. 
Priestly at Philadelphia, during the sessions of Congress, 
he imbibed the theological doctrines taught by that cele- 
brated man, which his subsequent reading had tlie effect 
to confirm and establish in his mind. The Second So- 
ciety in Biddeford, one of the earliest in America that 
departed from the standard of strict orthodoxy, (as noti- 
ced in a publication of the late Mr. Belsharo, of London,) 
was formed through the influence of Judge Thacher. 

The following additional extract from the able article 
before quoted, gives a no less just than striking view of 
the private and domestic character of this great and 
good man. 

''It is in private life, among his friends and in his family, 
that we are to look for those virtues or blemishes which 
exhibit the real features of moral beauty or deformity 
that make up the character of man. And it is in this de- 
partment that I would chiefly hold up my departed friend 
as an example. His heart was most disinterestedly be- 
nevolent and kind ; all human beings were his friends and 
brothers. He either could not see faults or he would 
not acknowledge them. Even the poor criminal at the 
bar, had sometimes more of his compassion than suited 
the stern demands of justice* He had apobgies and 

illiations for every body, and altho' he oiten indulged 
lis natural proneness to satire in the presence of those 
with whom be was called into conflict, no man can re* 
member that he ever said a harsh thing of any one who 
was absent. He had a vein of wit and humour which 
irresistibly prt)pelled him to put into ludicrous shapes the 
argumeats and opinions of those with whom he entered 



302 BISTORT OF SACO 

into the war of words ; but bis heart never took side iq 
the struggle, and the first appearance of wounded feelings, 
would blunt his weapons and make him give the field to 
bis adversary. No better proof can be given of the 
universal admission of the real kindness of his temper 
and feelings, than the fact that those who have been the 
most exposed to the keenness of his controversial talent, 
have been his ardent, most constant, most unshaken 
friends, till his death. In his domestic relations, he had 
DO fault unless an excess of kindness and indulgence be 
one. Surrounded by bis sons and daughters, and their 
children, and having the government of bis family upon 
equal terms with a most exemplary and excellent wife, 
bis humble dwelling was the abode of peace, love and 
benevolence. It was also the scene of the most unlimi- 
ted, frugal hospitality, where every human face was re- 
ceived with welcome. Great personages, the President 
of the U. S. and several foreign noblemen, have partaken 
of his hospitality under his roof, and though tliey saw no- 
thing of pomp, parade, fashion or circumstance there, I 
doubt whether they ever received more favorable im- 
pressions in their visits to the weahhy and powerful." 

The next attorney in Biddeford was George Stacy, 
Esq. who came about 1789, and remained two or three 
years without obtaining much professional business. 

Hon. Paentiss Mellbn, the present Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court of Maine, removed to Biddeford, Ju- 
ty, 1792. Judge Melien occupied the house now Dr. 
Dean's, and resided in town until February, 1806, 
when he removed to Portland. 

Hon. Samuel Hubbard, of Boston, commenced the 
practice of law in Biddeford, November, 1806. He re- 
moved to Boston, September, 1810. 

Hon. William Pitt Preble, now Minister to the Neth- 
erlands, succeeded Mr. Hubbard. He soon after cbaa- 
ged his residence to Saco. 

The late Hon. Cyrus King was the first regular at- 
torney in Saco. He was the son of Richard King, Esq, 
a successful merchant, prior to the revolutionary war, in 
Scarboro'. Mr. King married Isabella, daughter of Mr. 
Samuel Bragdon, of York, 1753^ this lady died 1759, 



▲N0 BIPDBrORD. d03 

leaving three children, Rufus, Mary, and Paulina. The 
son was the late distinguished statesman of New York ; 
IVlary, the eldest daughter, was married to Hon. Robert 
Southgate ; Paulina, to Dr. Aaron Porter. Mr. King 
afterwards married Mary, daughter of Mr. Samuel Black, 
of York ; of their five children, Cyrus was the youngest. 
The father died 1 775, at the a^e of fifty seven. Cyrus 
was prepared for College at Phillips Academy, Andover, 
Mass. and entered Columbia College, in the city of New- 
York, 1790. He graduated with the highest honors of 
the institution, and commenced the study of law with his 
brother in that city. When the latter received the ap- 
pointment of Minister to Great Britain, 1796, he went 
out as his private secretary, but desirous of completing 
bis professional studies, he returned at the expiration of 
one year, and entered the oflice of Judge Mellen in Bid- 
deford. He commenced the practice in Saco. In Octo. 
17979 he was married by Rev. Mr. Fairfield, to Han- 
nah, eldest daughter of Capt. Seth Storer. Posses- 
sing brilliant and highly cultivated powers of mind, uni- 
ted with habits of patient and zealous application, Mr. 
King soon rose to eminence in the profession. As an ad- 
vocate, he was unrivalled ; his style of speaking was ele- 
vated and commanding ; rich in the higher graces of pol- 
ished oratory, and, at the same time, argumentative and 
convincing. '^In the vehemence and gravity of his 
manner," says a Rev. writer, ^'he resembled rather the 
Grecian than the Roman orator. His addresses Viere 
more like an impetuous torrent descending from the 
mountains, than a smooth, gentle stream winding its way 
over the plains.'' In 1812, Mr. King was elected a rep- 
jresentative in Congre^, and retained his seat until 1816. 
His speeches on the floor of Congress, it is almost unne- 
cessary to say, were not unworthy the reputation he en- 
joyed at the bar. - In 1815, he was chosen Major Gene- 
ral of the 6th Division of the Militia ; an ofiSce on which 
be conferred honor. He died suddenly, 25 April| 1817, 
at the age of forty four years. 

Judge Preble resided in Saco from 1812 to 181 7* 
There are at present nine attorneys and counsellors in 
Saco, and one attorney in Biddeford. 



304 HISTORY OF SACO 

Phtsiciam's. Dr. Rice came to Saco about 1786, and 
remained a short time. He removed to Scarboro'. 

Dr. Thomas G. Thornton, late Marshal of Maine, 
settled in Saco, 1791. He was married to Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Col. Cutts, 1793, and soon after relinquished his 
profession for mercantile business. In 1803, he was ap- 
pointed Marshal, and continued in that office until his de- 
cease, March 4, 1824. 

Dr. John Allen, from England, commenced practising 
1796 ; be died 1825. 

Richard Cutts Shannon, M. D. of Dover, N. H. a 

Saduate of Harvard Coll. 1795, studied medicine with 
r. Jacob Kittredge of that place, and obtained a com- 
mission of surgeon in the U. S. navy. He was not long 
in the service, having settled in Saco in the fall of 1800. 
For a period of nearly twenty eight years. Dr. Shannon 
was the principal physician of the town. He died sud- 
denly, 19 April, 1828, universally lamented. At the 
time of his decease. Dr. Shannon was deacon of the first 
church, of which he bad been for many years an exem- 
plary and justly esteemed member. 

There are at present two physicians in Saco, and the 
same number in Biddeford. 

Prior to the revolutionary war, there appears to have 
been no Collector of the customs stationed at Saco river ; 
the vessels were probably registered at Falmouth, but the 
books not having been preserved, we are unable to recur 
to the state of navigation at that period. During the war, 
Mr. Nathaniel Scamman was commissioned for that pur- 
pose by the provincial legislature. The first collector 
under the Federal government, was Jeremiah Hill, Esq. 
who was appointed 1789, and retained the office until 
1809. He was succeeded by Daniel Granger, Esq., the 
late incumbent. 

The late Hon. Matthew Cobb, of Portland, was the 
principal merchant in Biddeford at that period. He 
came from B;irnstable, Mass. about 1780, with a stock of 
goods for which he had obtained credit. In a few years 
he amassed a large property, occu|Tying a store which 
still remains in a ruinous condition, nearly opposite that of 
Mr. Deshon. Mr. Cobb removed to Poitland 1796. 



AND BIDDEFORD. 305 

The late Daniel Cleaves, Esq. one of the most suc- 
cessful nnerchants in this quarter, came from Danvers, 
Mass. to Saco, 1790, with a small stock of goods and 
commenced business in a building that stood near the 
house of Capt. Warren. He afterwards built the store 
now occupied by Mr. S. Adams, and in 1797, formed a 
partnership with Jona. Tucker, Esq., which continued 
sixteen years. Mr. Cleaves was married to Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Rev. John Fairfield, 1795. He died 1817, at his 
seat in Biddeford, in the forty seventh year of his age. 

Foxwell Cutts, Esq. the oldest son of Col. Cutts, wasi 
largely interested in navigation for several years previous 
to the late war. His large and costly ships were pro- 
fitably employed in freighting valuable cargoes to various 
parts of the world. Mr. Cutts built at that period the 
mansion house afterwards occupied by Marshal Thorn- 
ton. He died 1816, at the age of fifty one. 

The property of the Pepperell family, in Saco, passed 
into other hands towards the close of the last century. 
The young Sir William having adhered to the crown and 
left the country on the commencement of the war, hiti 
estates were confiscated, by an act of the General Court, 
1779. A life interest in them was enjoyed by Ladjr 
Mary, the relict of the former Sir William, and Mrs. Eli- 
zabeth Sparhawk, his daughter, as devised to them by his 
will. In exchange for the right thus arising, the State 
assigned two ninths in absolute 'property to Lady Mary 
and her daughter, by a deed executed 1788. The lat- 
ter appointed Charles Chauncy, Esq. her agent soon af« 
ter, by whom several lots were sold in Saco. In 1801, 
the sale of the mill lot, on the lower side of Main street, 
forty rods in width, and from the river to the middle line 
in length, took place. The house lots on Middle and 
High streets, and the eastern side of Main street, were 
laid out and sold at that time bv Hon. David Sewall, the 
agent of the Commonwealth. A grant of ten acres was 
made to the town, ''for the purpose of placing a meeting- 
house, and for a trainingfield and burying ground.^' 
Judge S »wall located one acre for a meetinghouse where 
- that of the. First Parish has been since erected ; the re- 
maining niue acres were located contiguous to the other 



306 HISTOBT OF SAOO 

tovm land. A company was formed about this time for 
the purpose of building a wharf, who purchased of the 
agent the land necessary for that object. The wharf was 
commenced soon after. The other wharf, near the free- 
bridge, where Pepperrell's had stood, was built by Messrs. . 
Cleaves and Tucker, and Capt. Spring at the same time.- 

The Pepperell half (about )200 acres) of the Great 
lot, was purchased in different portions by Col. Cutts ; 
who also obtained the title to nearly 1000 acres of the 
remainder of that tract, valued by the appraisers of bis 
estate at $20,450. The Pepperell half of the sawmill 
was purchased by the Colonel, with other parts of the 
confiscated property. Col. Cutts died Jan. 10, 1821, 
aged eighty five years. The real estate which be posr 
sessed at the time of bis decease, was estimated at nearly- 
$100,000 in value. The improvements on the island at 
that time, were a large Iron factory, two sawmills, double 
and treble, a treble gristmill, with various mechanics^ 
shops» The Iron works were erected under the direc-* 
lion of Josiah Calef, Esq. 1811, and owned jointly by- 
Mr. Calef and Col. CuUs. They are still in operation, 
and comprise a roUins and slitting mill, and eleven ma- 
chines for the manufacture of nails. At present about 
3500 lbs. of nails are produced per day in this valuably 
establishment. 

In the spring of 1825,, the island, with the exception 
of a small part, the property of Mr. D. Cutts, was pur- 
chased by a Company, principally of Boston, for the pur- 
pose of erecting a Cotton Factory. The Iron works 
with the other improvements were included in the pur- 
chase. The whole cost to the Company was $110,000. 
They bought at the same time a considerable part« of 
the privileges on the opposite side of the river, for 
$10,000. The operations of the Company were not 
rapid in their progress. The first year preparations only 
were made. In 1826, a mill was erected, 210 feet in 
length, 47 in breadth, consisting of seven floors, and 
calculated to contain 12000 spindles and 300 looms. 
The excavation of a canal, leading from the head of the 
Fall to the site of the factory, and carried in part through 
a bed of solid rock, was attended with great labor and 



/* 



* expense. A large number of experienced and skilfal 
workmen were employed in the construction of tb^ ne- 
cessary machinery, and the establishment was gradually 

'put in operation. In the summer of 1829, there were 
about 500 'persons connected with it, of whom mow than 
four hundred occupied the Company's tenements on the 
island. The goods manufactured acquired a high repu- 
tation in the market, and notwithstanding the pressure of 
the times, a handsome profit was realized from the pro- 
ceeds of the sales. Early in the present year, the stock 
of machinery for the whole establishment was 'completed, 
on which the sum of $200,000 had been expended by 
the Company. But the fruits of all this labor (much of 
which was executed with a skill and ingenuity seldom 
equalled,) and expense, were unfortunately swept away by 
the late destructive conflagration. The fire commenced 
at about 2 o'clock P. M..on Sunday, Feb. 31 , in the base- 
ment story, and rapidly extended through every part of 
the building, leaving it in the course of three hours a heap 
of smouldering ruins. Thus perished one of the noblest 
"monuments oi New England enterprise, and the well 
founded expectations of its enterprising projectors and 
proprietors. 

The superior advantages presented by the island (which 
comprehends a surface of about 30 acres) for manufac- 
turing purposes, cannot be suffered to remain bng ,unim-» 
proved. The mill sites which it contains are not sur- 
passed in New England.* The water on the western 
side descends firom forty to fifty feet, end is abundant at 
all seasons of the year ; neither drought nor frost impairs 
the value of the privilege. The convenience of sloop 
navigation almost to the foot of the Falls, and the ready 

* suppfy of the materials for building, in the inexhaustible 
•beds of clay and quarries of stone within the immediate 

*In a slight sketch of the condition of the town, prepared by Rev* 

"Bfr. Coeew«LL, for the Mass. Hiit. Society, 1S15, the writer ob- 

0erTee : '*It is no eiaggeraiion to say, there is probably not a better 

{lace in the world for all kinds of mills and factories. Vessels of 
00 tons can come up within a few rods of all these mill seats, where 
there iathroairh the year water enough for 9000 mills and faotoriei. 
X This townwiU ooe.cfay be celtbcatedforits maqyafaotoviea." 



308 HISTORY QF 8A00 

vicinity, offer a rare combination of facilities for the erec- 
tion oi extensive works. 

The Lumber trade has long been the principal branch 
of business on Saco river. In early times the mills were 
supplied with logs from the forests in the vicinity of the 
Falls ; in the former part of the last century, they were 
procured at the distance of a few miles above the mills. In 
the winter of 1772, it is said, a few persons for the first 
time ascended the river as far as Fryeburg in quest of 
timber, and finding an abundance, turned the attention of 
millmen to that region for their future supplies.' After the 
war the number of mills was increased. Before the year 
1800, seventeen saws were in operation about the Falls, 
viz. on the western side 4, Gooch island 4, Spring's is- 
land 4, Indian island 2, the east side 3. The treble mill 
on Indian island was built soon after that time. Those on 
Spring's island were erected by^ Capts. Seth Spring and 
Moses Bradbury, 1 794-8. There were others on the small 
streams in different parts of both towns. The quantity 
of boards sawed per day (24 hours) has been estimated 
9X fifty thousand feet. The only intermission from the la* 
bor of the mills has invariably been from sunset on Satur- 
day, to the same hour on Sunday.* There wiere grist- 
mills on both sides of the river. A Fulling mill was built 
on what is now called Thacher's creek by Capt. Brad- 
bury, 1788 ; since removed to Spring's island. About 
8000 yards of cloth are dressed in it per year. Capt. 
Bradbury built the first house on the island 1795, and re- 
moved to it.. Soon after, Capt. Spring built his western 
bridge ; and, in 1797*8, the eastern one. 

The manufacture of clapboards, shingles, and lathes, 
has been attended to at different times on a small scale. 
A mill is now owned by Mr. Abel Hersey, which con- 
tains machines for sawing these articles. About 70 M. 
clapboards and 300 M. lathes are annually turned out. 
Considerable Quantities of staves, &r. have been, and are 
still furnished lor the market. In the year 1826, the fol- 

*The property in a saw consists of 24 parts called days ; a person 
owning one dav is entitled to the use of the mill (if single) one oay per 
month. One fourth of a single sawmill is 6 days ; of a double one, 
12 days. The subdivisions Are carried to hours and minute*. 



^■•i 



AND BIBDEFOltB. 809 

lowing Exports were made to foreign ports : 1,340,663 
feet of boards; 65,200 staves ; 276 M. shingles ; 1616 
shocks and heading; 4000 hoops. The year ending 
Sept. 30, 1827, the amount of lumber sawed was 21 
million feet, the greatest part of which was carried to 
Boston, Providence, and New York. 

The amount of registered tonnage in the district of 
Saco and Biddeford, 1820, was 1188 tons, including 248 
temporary ; enrolled, 2059 ; licensed under twenty tons 
116. At the present time, the registered tonnage 
is 2009 tons, 81 temporary; enrolled 2250 tons; licen- 
sed under twenty, 112 tons. The average number of 
tons built, per annum, during ten years ending 1829, is 
nearly 650 tons. The greatest amount for one year ia 
that period, was in 1825, viz. 1679 tons.* 

By the returns made to the Legislature 1820, the 
amount of tillage land in Saco, was 763 acres; mowing 
3246 acres, including 193 salt marsh; pasturage, 3459 
acres. Annual products ; 6189 bus. Indian com ; 248 bus. 
wheat ;-369 bus. rye ; 316 bus. oats ; 1334 bus. barley; 
tons of hay : 1804 upland ; 351 fre^ meadow ; 97 ssitt. 



*Tbe destruction of several fine ships in this port daring the last 
war, by the British, is worthy of notice. Jnne 16, 1814, the Bal- 
wark 74, (earr^ii^ about ninety guns.) David Millne Commander, 
anchored 2^ miles east from Fletcher's Neck ', five large boats, con- 
taining about 150 men well armed, were soon after despatched from 
the ship, who at-first landed on Stage island. After remaining there 
a fiiw minutes, as if deliberating whether to ascend the river, they 
passed over to the Neck, where Capt. Thomas Cutts met* them wita 
a white fla^, and asked the leader of the party, whose name was Sey- 
mour, his intentions. He answered — *'to destroy the place." Capt. 
Cutts, who resided on the Neck, and had gathered much valuable 
property around him, then enquired if he would not negotiate for the 
▼alue of the property in money *, and was referred to Capt. Millne, 
who soon after came ashore in his gig. The Capt. said he had posi- 
tive orders to destroy property, and would accept no terms. The 
men in his presence set fire to the hull of a new ship, 265 tons bur- 
then, valued at ^^6000; out in pieces another on the stocks, 540 tons,, 
which with the loss of timber exceeded $7000 ', and carried away a 
third, which Capt. Cutts afterwards ransomed for $6000. All these, 
vessels were the property of the latter. The men also entered his 
•tore and plundered fironr it goods to the value of $2000. They like- 
wise burned a small schooner, and a sloop of 50 or 60 tons, from Cape 
Cod. After committing this wanton and unjustifiable destruction 
of private propeity , they returned to the ship) and soon left the coast. 

27 




310 HI8T0KT or SACO 

In Biddeford ; tillage, 456 acres ; mowing 2^22 acres, 
including 193 salt marsh; pasturage, 1969. Annual 
products ; 3108 bus. Ind. corn ; 41 wheat; 41 rye ; 12 
oats ; 1702 barley. Hay, 1203 tons upland ; 308 fresh 
meadow ; 11 6 salt. 

A Post Office was established in Biddeford 1789 ; 
when Benjamin Hoo|)er, Esq. was appointed Postmas- 
ter. Mr. Joseph Barnard, of Kennebunk, first carried 
the mail on this route, at first on horseback, afterwards 
in a light wa^on. He was succeeded by the late Jo- 
siah Paine, Esq. of Portland, the enterprising contrac- 
tor who first introduced the use of coaches with four 
horses into this part of the country, and effected more to- 
wards promoting the facilities of travelling in Maine tiiaa 
any other individual. Mr. Hooper resigned the office of 
postmaster 1798 ; he died 1802, at the age of eighty 
two. His son, Daniel Hooper, Esq. was next appointed, 
and on his decease in 1800, was succeeded by William 
P. Hooper, Esq. Until 1802, the post office was kept 
at the public house of Messrs. Hoopers ; in that year it 
was removed to Cutts's island, where it .continued till 1807, 
when it was removed to the village in Saco. The late 
John Cleaves, Esq. was appointed postmaster 1810, and 
has had two successors in the office. 

The population of Biddeford by the first census, 1790, 
was 1018; in 1800, 1296; 1810, 1563; 1820, 1738. 
Sacx>, at the same times, had the following numbers : 
1352, 1842, 2492, 2532. In the summer of 1829, the 
writer made an enumeration of the inhabitants of Saco, 
and found the number to be 3712, giving an increase 
over the census of 1820, (which is supposed to have been 
inaccurately taken,) of nearly twelve hundred. Instances 
of longevity have occurred in both towns, some of which 
were of a remarkable character. In Saco three persons 
have died at the age of 100 years; viz. James Miller, 
1764; Job Hanscomb, 1777; and the late venerable 
Deacon Amos Chase, who was bom at Newbury 1 5 Jan- 
nary, 1718; and died 2 March 1818. From 1811 to 
1 828, forty two persons have reached or exceeded eighty 
years ; nine of whom were ninety or upwards. The num- 
ber of deaths during that period, at the average of 35 per 



.1 



AND BIBDEFORD. 311 

annum, was 595. In 1815, the Rev. Mr. Cogswell com- 
puted the average number of deaths annually at 30. The 
oldest person known to have lived in Biddeford, was Pen- 
dleton Fletcher, who was born on Fletcher's Neck, where 
he died 1 807, aged ninety nine years and six months. 
The oldest now living in that town is Daniel Tarbox, to 
whom the writer has been indebted for several local par- 
ticulars. Daniel was born at Winter Harbor, nearly 
pinety years ago, and was baptized by Rev. Mr. Willard. 

The amount of money annually raised by Saco for the 
support of schools has not much* varied from $1500, for 
several years, being $500 above the sum legally required. 
The town is divided into nine classes or districts. Two 
schools are supported in the central class throughout the 
year, and two additional during six months. In the other 
classes, the terms vary according to the number of pupils. 
Saco Academy was incorporated 16 Feb. 1811, and 
endowed by the State with half a township, consisting of 
11,520 acres of land. In consequence of a donation of 
$1000 to its funds by the late Marshal Thornton, the 
Trustees gave his name to the institution. The Academy 
is now in a flourishing condition, under the highly appro- 
ved preceptorship of Hezekiah Packard, jr. A. M. 
A private seminary denominated the ^'Classical School," 
is conducted by Phineas Pratt, A. M. . A High School 
(or young ladies, under the care of Miss A. Hall, was es- 
tabfished in 1829, and continues to be liberally patroni- 
sed. There are other private schools in the village, in- 
tended for a younger class of pupils. 

In Biddeford, the anK)unt of school money raised an- 
nually has not exceeded $1200; the sum required by 
law is about $700. A grammar school is supported du- 
ring the greater part of the year near the Falls, and the 
remainder of the money is distributed among ten classes. 

The following list contains the names of persons bom 
in Biddeford and Saco, who have been liberally educated, 
commencing with the former town. Harvard College. 
Samuel Jordar}, 1 T50 ; second son of Capt. S. Jordan ; 
a representative of the town several years. He died of 
yellow fever, 1802, aged seventy three.* John Willard, 



The yellow fever has b^^Q brought into the river by vessels fro|n 




312 BI8T0BY OV SACe 

1751 y minister of Staffi>rd, Conn« He received a doc- 
torate iD divinity from Yale College. Joseph Willard, 
1765 ; D. D. LL. D. President of Harvard Coll. 1781- 
1804« Jeremiah Hill, A. M. 1787. Mr. Hill entered 
college 1767, and left before hb class graduated. He 
afterwards received the usual honors. Air. Hill was en- 
gaged for a considerable period in mercantile business ; 
be represented the town in the General Court several 
years, and was through life an active, useful and promi- 
nent citizen. He died in June, 1820, aged seventy three. 
James SuUivan, 1790 ; the oldest son of Gov. Sullivan. 
He died at Boston soon after leaving College. William 
Sullivan, 1792 ; LL. D. Boston. Moses Porter, 1799. 
Abel Lawrence Peirson, 1812 ; M. D. Salem, Mass*. 
George Thacher, 1812 ; A. M. Saco. GrenviUe Mel- 
len, 1818 ; A. M. North Yarmouth. Bawdoin College- 
Richard Cobb,- 1806 ; A. M. Boston. Edward-Henry 
Cobb, 1810; A. M. late of Portland. Frederic Mellen, 
1823, Portland. Gorham Dean, 1825; a young gen- 
tleman of highly promising talents, who died at the close 
of his last collegiate year, in Providence, R. I. where he 
bad gone for the benefit of his heahh. 

Saco. Harvard CoU^e. Cadwallader Gray, 1784 ; a 
merchant at the Falls, afterwards of Buxton. James 
Gray, 1786. Richard Cutts, 1790 ; A. M, Washington, 
D. C. Gideon Tucker, 1820. Dartmouth Cottege. 
Nathaniel Coffin, 1799; A. M. Wiscasset. Botodoin 
College* Seth Storer, 1807 ; A. M. Scarborough. 
(Office at Saco.) William Rufus King, 1823. Daniel 
Tristram Granger, 1826; Newfield. Joseph Warren 
Leland, 1826. Ichabod Goodwin Jordan, 1827. John 
Fairfield Hartley, 1829. WatervUle CoUege. Albert 



tbe West Indies in at least tliree insfanoes ; 1794, 1796, and 1809. 
The second time the whole namber of persoiM who were sick, as we 
are informed hy Dr. Porter, was 43(. eleven of whom died. In June, 
1802, a vessel came up to the wharf in Biddeford, with the infectioo 
on board, but it not being known for several days, many were ex- 
posed who fell victims to the disease. It Roon spr^d throughout the 
neighborhood ; of sixty three cases, says Dr. Porter, fourteen proved. 
Ihtal. Those who survived the fourth day aAer the attack, geoeraUj 

MQOTIQTed. 



(jTallatin Lane^ 1827 ; Belfast. Now in Bdwdoin Coll. : 
Oeorge Wasbington Gole, William Vatighan Jordan, Seth 
Storer Green, Henry Gookin Siorer. The number of 
gentlemen educated at College now resident in Sslco, is 
fifteen ; viz. fiVe graduates of fiarvard, on6 of Dart- 
moutb, nin6 of Bowdoin. 

Saco River, (with a brief accotiht of which W6 must 
tonclude our inquiries,) is ond of the largest in NeW 
£ngland, yet being much broken ih its course by falb, 
is not navigable to any considerable ^ttent. It spring 
from three sources in the White lifoiintsdns ; the brflnicb 
iieniing from the southwest idde of the mountains, iiei(r 
ibe Notch, is considered the hiaiti stf eahl ; next t6 this 
is the middle branch, which is the Sthallest ; sihd beyond 
i^ the branch called Ellis's rivet. Which ridei^ oil the north- 
east side of the mountains, and after a course of about 
eighteen nuiles, unites with the main braneh in the toWn 
of Bartlett. Cutler's and New river!^ ate monntaiti tor- 
rents that discharge into the Ellis. The Ammanoosuck, 
a branch of the Connecticut, rises within about two rods 
of the Saco, jQowing in an opposite direction. The whole 
length of Saco river is estimated to be 160 miles; run- 
ning in its general course SSE, and discharging into 
the sea in latitude 43 degrees, 28 minutes ; longitude 
from Greenwich (London) 70 degrees, 26 minutes. The 
principal Falls are, the Great Falls, at Hiram, where the 
water descends 72 feet ; Steep Falls at Limington, 20 
feet ; Salmon Falls, at Holiis and Buxton, 30 feet, and 
Saco Falls, 42 feet. The latter are about four miles from 
the mouth of the river. The ordinary rise of the water 
in the spring is from ten to fifteen feet, but in great fresh- 
ets it has been known greatly to exceed that number. A 
long storm which occurred in October, 1785, raised the 
river to an immense height, sweeping away mills and 
bridges, and inundating houses that stood in its vicinity. 
In 1814, there was the greatest freshet known since that 
of 1785.* At such seasons the ajppearance of Saco Fallq 






. *The view oi' tiio FalL prefixed to this volame, represents them 
daring a rise of the river sreater than is usually e:j>erieDced. 1% wfts 
tafcea from below the bunk nearly opposite the rf aiJ Factory. 

27* 



314 HISTORY OF SACO 

19 truly sublime ; and formerly, before the scenery about 
them was destroyed, presented a spectacle of grandeur 
and beauty seldom equalled. From the mouth of the 
river a fine beach extends to the east about five miles, 
(formerly the traveUed road,) called Old Orchard beach. 
This name arose from a growth of apple trees formerly 
near the beach, (below the schoolhouse,) planted at a 
very early period ; some of them remained as late as 
1770. Another beach of less extent, but not inferior in 
other respects, is found at the Popl, connecting Fletcher's 
Neck with the main- and forming the south shore of that 
peninsula. Its distance from the Falls is about nine miles. 
The small streams by which different parts of Saco are 
watered, generally derive their origin from an immense 
hoRj commonly called the Heath, and flow into the river 
ana sea. On one of these, Foxwell's brook, there is a 
fine waterfall, with a descent of about sixty feet, surroun- 
ded by scenery of a wild and striking character. 



APPENDIX. 



A. p. 18. 



The passage of the Dutch author, De Laet, referred to as a trans- 
lation of Capt. Smith's notice of Saco river, and of the coast of 
Maine in general, is the following : 

Ab hoc (i. e. amne Sigadehoc) versus occasum provincia Ancocisco 
[Casco] amplissimi sinus gremio praetenditur, multaeque insulae 
cum suis portubus per sinum sunt sparsae. Haud longe nine 8owo- 
OOTUCK ad angulum continentis qui latum sinum aperit arenoso quidem 
littore sed crebris insulis et cautibus illi objectis, aditu difficilem et 
non nisi minoribus navigiis. Quid multa ? tota haec ora a Penobscot 
hue usque, et loogius a I*en. versus ortum, ejusmodi rupibus et saxosis 
insulis scatet, ut minim sit tam procerarum arborum feracem esse, ne- 
que quisquam hie est quod intuentes non magis deterreatquam afficiat ; 
tameo mare hio, si uscjuam, mire piscosum, and hae insulae tot arfoon- 
bus amoenae, tot fontibus riguae, tam variis fructibus dites, tamque hio 
avium copia, ut non careat fide, licet littora tam aspera sint, tamen 
oonvalles et interiora Continentis facundissimo esse solo. Lib. iii. 
Cap. iii. 

The '^island of Bacchus,*' with which the French navigators were 
10 much charmed, is doubtless Wood Island. At the present time, 
however, the vine is not found there, nor the walnut, although a great 
variety of growth still covers the island. Beech, Oak, Maple, Sasa, 
(or lime tree,) Ash, Fir or Spruce, Moose wood, Pine, Hornbeam, 
and Birch, overspread its surface, which consists of about thirtysix acres. 
In supmer this island is a very delightful spot, not un\/^urthy the ad- 
miration bestowed by the French. The otner islands near the mouth 
of the river, in what was anciently called Saco Bat, are much smal- 
ler, and nearly destitute of vegetation ; Stage island, formerly called 
Gibbina' island, on which a monument is now erected, contains but 
five or six acres ; Basket island about four acres; the others (Eagle 
and Ram islands) are still less in extent. 

B. p. 29. 

Grant from the Council of Plymouth to Lewis and Bonython, now 

Saco. 
TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLB to whom this present writing 
indented shall come, the Council for the affiiirs of New Enffland in 
America send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting. WhereaSy 
King James, of famous memory, late king of England, Scotland, 
France & Ireland,:by his Hi^hness's Letters Patent and Royal Grant, 
nnder the great seiu of Ea^and, bearing date the third day of Nor. 
in the eighteenth year of his reign of England, France and Ireland. 
Ag. for the cau33 therein expressed, did absolutely give, 'ffrant and 
confirm unto the said Counoil for the affairs of New England in A- 
merioa, and their successors forever^-AU the Lands of New Eng- 



316 APPENDIX. 

Imd Mng hnd bein^ from forty to forty-eight demM of northerly 
IfttitudOi and in length by all that breadth aroreiaid from sea to sea, 
throughout the main land, together with all the Woode, Waters, Riv- 
•la, Soil, Havens, Harbors, Islands and other eommodities whatso* 
•▼mr thereunto belonging, with divert other privileges, preheminan- 
OMi lurofits and liberties, by sea and land, as by the said Letters P&- 
teniy amongrst other things contained, whereunto due relation being 
had more at large, it doth and may appear. 

NOW KNOW YE, that the said Council for the afiain of New 
England in America, as well for and in consideration that Thomas 
Lewis, Gent, hath already been at the charge to transport himself 
and others to take a view of New England in America aforesaid, 
for the bettering of his eiperience in advancing of a Plantation, ana 
doth now wholly intend, by God's assistance, with his associates, to 
plant there, both for the good of his Majesty's realms and dominions^ 
and for the propagation of Christian Religion amongst thoee infidelSy 
and in consideration also that the said Thomas Lewis, together with 
CapL Rich. Bonython, and also with their associates ana company, 
have undertaken at their own proper cost and charges, to transport 
fifty persons thither within seven years next ensuing, to plant and 
inhabit there, to the advancement of the general Plantation of that 
eountrr and the strength and safety theieoi amongst the natives or 
any other invaders. Also, for the encouragement of the sud ThoA^ 
tfewis and Capt. Richard Bonython and other their associates and 
assigns^— and other good causes and considerations, the said Council 
thereunto moving : — Have given, granted, enfeoffed and eoniirmed| 
and by this their present writing do fully, clearly and absolutely givei 
grant, onfeoffb and confirm unto the said Thomas Lewis ana Capt. 
Richard Bonython, their heirs and assigns, forever, all that part of 
the main land in New England in America aforesaid, commonly called 
or known by the name of Swanckadocke, or by whatioevef other' 
name or names the same is or shall be hereafter called or known b^, 
ritoated, lying and being between the Cape or Bay eommOnly called 
Cape Elizabeth, and the Cape or Bay commonly called Cape Por- 
pDue, containing in breadth from northeast to southwest atang bv thci- 
sea, font miles in a straight line, accounting seventeen hunored and- 
three score yards, according to the standard of England, to everf 
li^, and eight Kaglish miles upon the main land, on the North side 
ef the river Swanckadoek after the same rate, from the sea through 
all the breadth aforesaid, together with all the Shores, Creeks, Baysi* 
Harbors and Coasts along the Sea within the limits and bounds afore- 
slud, with the woods and islnnds next adjoining to the said land, not 
being already granted * y the said Coinreil unto any other person or 
persons ; together, also, with all *he Lands, Rivers, Mines, Minerals 
of what kind or nature soever, Woods, Quarries, Marshes, Waters, 
Lakes, Fishings, Huntings, Hawkings, Fowlings,Commodities, Emol- 
itoents and Hereditaments whatsoever, with all and singular thei^ 
and every of their appurtenances in or within the limits or bounds 
l£fi>resaid, or to the said Land lying within (he said limits or boundi' 
ttelongin?, or in anv wise appertaining— TO HAVE AND TO' 
HOLU lul and singular the said lands and premises wilfi aUand sin* 
ffular the Woods, Quarries, Marshes, Waters. Rivers, Lakes, Fisli- 
uigs, Hawkings, Huntings, Minos, Minerals or what kind or natard\ 
soever, Privileges, Rights, Jurisdictions, Liberties, Royalties, and aft' 
other Profits, Comraoaities, Emoluments and Hereditaments whatso- 
•tar, befbrei in and by these Presedttf gfvei^ uid gtHAUd of fioHM' 



APPENDIX. Sll 

mentioned, or intended to be hereby ^iven or granted with their and 
every of their appurtenances and every part imd parcel thereof (ex- 
cept before excepted) unto the aaid Thomas Lewis and Capt. Rich» 
ard Bonython, tneir heirs, associates and assigns forever, to the only 
proper use and behoof of the said Thomas Lewis and Capt Riohara 
jSonython, their heirs, associates and assigns forever, yielding and 
paying unto our Sovereiffn Lord the.King one fifth part of Gold and 
Silver Ore, and another fifth part to the Council aforesaid, and their 
successors to be holden of the said Council and their successors by 
the rent hereafter in these presents reserved, yielding and paying 
therefor yearly forever unto the said Council, their successors or as- 
signs, for every hundred acres of the said land in use, twelve pence 
of lawful money of England into the hands of the Rent Gatherer 
(for the time bemg) of the said Council, their heirs or successors for 
all services whatsoever. And the said Council for the affairs of New 
England in America aforesaid, do by these presents nominate, de- 
pute, authorize, appoint and in their place ana stead put Wm. Black* 
stoon, of New England aforesaid, Clark, William Jefireys, and EUiw. 
Hilton, of the same, Gent'n, and either or any of them jointly or sev- 
erally to be their lawful attorney or attorneys, and in their names 
and stead to enter into the said part or portion of Land, and other 
the premises with the appurtenances by these presents given and 
granted, or into some part thereof in the name of the whole, and pea- 
ceable and quiet possession and seizin thereof for them to take, and 
the same so had and taken in their names and stead to deliver pos- 
session and seizen thereof unto the said Thomas Lewis and Capt. 
Richard Bonython, their heirs, associates and assigns, according to 
the tenor, form and effect of these presents, ratifying, confirming 
and allowing all and whatsoever the said attorney or attorneys or ei- 
ther of them shall do in and about the premises by virtue hereof. In 
witness whereof the said Council for the affairs of New England 
aforesaid have hereunto caused their common seal to be put, Giv- 
en the twelfth day of February, Anno Domini 1629, and in the 
fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord Charles, by the grace of 
God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of 
the Faith, &o. 

R. Warwick. [seal a/ijMndtn^} Edw. Goboes. 

June 26, 1631. Possession, livery and seizen given and delivered 
by the within named Edw. Hilton, Gent, one of the Commissionere 
nominated bv the Lords of the Council for the afikirs of New Eng- 
land, unto the within named Thomas Lewis, Gent, in the presence 
and siflrht of the persons under named. Tho. Wiggin, James Far* 
ker, Henry Watts, George Vahnn. 

A true copy of the original, received April 5, 1731 — 

Attest, Ja8. Moody, Register. 

Grant from the Council to Oldham and Vines, now Biddkford. 

TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE to whom this present writing 
indented shall come, the Council for the affairs of New England in 
America send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting. Whereas, 
King James, of famous memory, late King of England, Scotland, 
France & Ireland, bv his Hiichness^s Letters Patent and Royal Grant, 
under the great Seal of England, bearing date tlie third of Novem- 
ber, in the eighteenth year of his reign of England, France and Ire- 
land, for the cause therein expressed, did absomtely give, grant ao^ 



M 



318 APPENDIX. 

eobfirm nnto the said Council for the tffiiira of New Engfland in A- 
merica, lyin^ and being from forty to forty-eight degrees of norther- 
ly latitade and in lenjrth by all that breadth aforesaid, from sea to 
sea throDghoat the main land, together with all.the Woods, Waters, 
Rivers, Soils, Havens, Harbours, Islands and other Commoditien 
whatsoever therennto belonging, with divers other privileges, pre- 
heminances, profits and liberties, by sea and by lana as by the said 
Letter Patents (amongst other things contained whereunto due rela- 
tion beinghad) more at large it doth and may appear. 

NOW KNOW TE, that the said Council for the affairs of New 
England in \meriea, as well for and in consideration that John Oald- 
ham, Gent, a planter in New England in America aforesaid, and oth- 
ers his servants have for these six years now last past lived in New 
England aforesaid, and for that the said John Ouldham hath hereto- 
fore, at his own proper cost and charges, transported thither and 
planted there divers persons and hath, for the effecting of that 'So 
g[ood a work, under^rfe great labour and danger ; and in conside;-a- 
tion also, that the said John Ouldham, together with Richard Vines, 
Gent, and their heirs, associates and company have undertaken, at 
their own cost and charge, to transport nfly persons thither in the 
space of seven years next ensuing to plant and inhabit there to the 
advancement of the general Plantation of that conntry and the 
strength and safety thereof against the natives or anv other inva- 
ders ; and also for the better encouragement of the saicl John Ould- 
ham, Richard Vines and other their associates and assigns, and other 
good causes and considerations the said Council thereunto moving- 
Have given, granted, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by this their pre- 
sent writing do fullj, clearly and absolutely give, grant, enfeoffe and 
confirm nnto the said John Ouldham and Richard- Vines, their heirs 
and assigns forever, all that part of the main land in New England 
aforesaia commonly called or known by the name of Swanckadock, 
or by whatsoever other name or names the same is or shall be here- 
after called or known by, situated, lying and being between the Capo 
or Bay commonly called Cape Elisabeth and the Cape or Bay com- 
monly called Cape Porpoise, containing in breadth from northeast to 
southwest, along by the sea, four miles in a straight line, accounting 
seventeen hundred and three score yards, according to the standard 
of England, to every mile, and eight English miles up into the main- 
land on the south side of the river Swanckadock, after the same rate, 
from the sea through all the breadth of four miles aforesaid together 
with all the Shores, Creeks, Bays, Harbours and Coasts along the 
Sea within the limits and bouncis aforesaid, with the Woods ana Isl- 
ands next adjoining to the said Lands not being already granted by 
the said Council unto any other person or persons, together also with 
all the Lands, Rivers, Mines, Minerals of what kind or nature soev- 
er, Woods, Quarries, Marshes, Waters, Rivers, Lakes, Fishings, 
Huntings, Hawkings, Fowlings, Commoditiesj Emoluments, Heridi- 
taments whatsoever, with all and singular their and every of their 
appurtenances in or within the limits and bounds aforesaid, or to the 
said Lands lying within the same limits or bounds belonging or in 
any way appertaining— TO HAVE AND TO HOLD aH and sin- 
gular the said Lands and premises, with all and singular the Woods, 
Quarries, Marshes, Waters, Rivers, Lakes, Fishings, Fowlings, 
Hawkings, Mines, Minerals of what kind or nature soever, Privile- 
ges, Rightsj Jurifldiction, Liberties, Royalties and all other Profits, 



APPXNDIX. 319 

Commodities, EmoloraenU and Hereditaments whatsoever before ia 
and by these presents ^iven and granted or herein mentioned or in- 
tended to be hereby given or granted, with their and every of their 
appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof, except before ei- 
cepted, unto the said John Ouldham and BLichard Vines, their heirs, 
asiiociates and assigns forever, to the only proper use and behoof of 
the said John Ouldham, Richard Vines, their hoirs, associates and as- 
signs forever, yieldinij; and paying unto our Sovereign Lord the King 
one fiflh part of Gold and Silver Ore, aud another fifth part to the 
Council aforesaid and their Successors, to be holden of the said Coun- 
cil aforesaid and their successors, by the Rent hereafter in these pre- 
eetita reserved, yielding and paying thereof yearly forever unto the 
said Council, their successors or assigns for every hundred acres of 
the said Land in use, twelve pence of lawful money of England into 
the hands of the Rent Gatherer, for the time being, of the said Coun- 
cil, their successors or assigns for all services wnatsoever, and the 
said Council for the affairs of New England aforesaid do by these 
. presents nominate, depute, authorize, appoint and in their place and 
stead put William Blackston, of New England aforesaid, Clerk, Wil- 
liam Jeffreys and Edward Hilton, of the same place, (jent'n. and ei- 
ther or any of them, jointly or severally, to Ite their trUe and lawful 
attorney or Attorneys, and in their name and stead to enter into the 
said part or portion of land and other the premises with appurtenan- 
ces by these presents given and granted, or into some part thereof 
in the name of the whole, and peaceable and quiet possession and 
seizen thereof for them to take and the same so had and taken in 
their name and stead to deliver possession and seizen thereof unto 
the said John Ouldham and Ricnard Vines, their heirs, associates 
and assigns, according to the tenor, form and effect of these presents, 
ratifying and confirming and allowing all and whatsoever the saia 
attorney or attorneys, or either of them, shall do in or about the 

E remises by virtue hereof. In witness whereof the said Council 
ave caused the common seal to be put, the twelflh day of February, 
Annp Domini 1G29, in the fiflh year of the reign of our Sovereign 
Lord Charles, by the Grace of God King of^England, Scotland, 
France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &>c. 

Rob. Warwick, Edw. Gorges, Ferd. Gorges, Thos. Smith. 

Memorandum. That possession and seizen was taken by the w^h* 
in named Richard Vines of the premises within granted m the pre- 
sence of Mr Isaac Allerton, Capt. Thomas Wiggin, Mr. Thomas 
Purchase, Capt. Nathaniel Waters, Capt. John Wrifrht and Mr. Ste- 
phen Reeck, mariner, the 25th day of June, 1630. This is a true co- 
py of the original Deed, recorded the 19th day of July, 1G43, and 
eiamined. Per me, Roger Gard, Recorder, 

I, Richard Vines, of Saco, Gent, have bargained and sold the pa- 
tent above specified unto Robert Child, Esq. Doct. of Pfaysick and 
given him Livery and Seizen upon the day of October, 1645, in pre- 
sence of Mr. Adam Winthrop and Mr. Benjamin Gilman. 

C. p. 36. 
Bond and Lease from Vines to John West. 

Noverint universi per presentes me Richard Vines de Sacoe in Nova 
Anglia, Armigerum, teneri et firmiter obligari John West de Sacoe pri- 




820 ATPENDDL 

die Husbandman in qaadragmta Hbris legaKs nonets Angliae tohren^ 
die eidem John aut suo certo attorno, exeoiitoribm, administratoribus 
■ais ad quam qnidem solutUmem bene et fideliter faciendum oblige me 
beredes executores administratores meos £Hrmitei perpresentes Sigilllo 
meo sigillataa dates * * die'Ootobris anno Regni Domini noitri Caro- 
li Dei ffratia Angliae Scotiae Franciae et Hibemia Regis, Fidei Defen- 
eorisy decimo, annoque Domini 1638. 

[Translation. Know all men by these presents, that I, Richard 
Vines, of Saco, in New England, fSsquire, am held and firmly bound 
to John West, of Saco, formerly Husbandman, in £40 legal money 
of £n|^land, to be paid to the said John or his attorney, executors and 
administrators, to make which payment well and faithfully, I firmly 
bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators by these presents. 
Sealed with my seal, given * * day of October in the tenth year of 
our master Charles, by the grace of'^Gcd King of England, Scotland, 
France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, A. D. 1638.] 

Whereas the condition of this obligation is such that whereas the 
above bounden Richard Vines hath by his writing indented bearing 
date the day and year abovewritten under bis hand and beal for tlie 
consideration therein mentioned, demised, granted, leased and to farm 
letten unto the abovementioned John West, his executors and assigns, 
one mansion or dwellinghouse and certain lands and grounds to the 
same belonging or adjoining with the appurtenances in Sacoe afore- 
said for ihe term of 1000 years for and under the yearly rent or farm 
of two shillings and one capon as by the said mdentures may more 
fully and at large appear, now the said John West, his executors, ad- 
ministiators or assigns, shall and may at all and every time and times 
hereafter for and during said term of 1000 years lawfully, peacefully 
and quietly have, hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the said mansion or 
dwelling house, the said lands, grounds and other the premises by the 
said writing indented to him, demised, leased and to rarm letteu with 
all and every their appurtenances without any lett, suit, trouble, hin- 
drance, molestation or incumbrance to be had, made or done unto him 
the said John West, his executors or assigns, by the said Richard 
Vines, his heirs or assigns, or Joan his wife, or any of them, or by ' 
Thomas Cole sometime tenant or occupier of the premises. Sealed 
and delivered in presence of R. Gibson, T. WiUiams, T. Rogers. 



D. p. 113. 

A deed purporting to have been ^iven to Rev. John Wheelwright 
by several Indian sagamores, 1629, is published in the Appx. to i. Belr 
knap's Hist. N. H. The attestation of the deed is signed by "R. 
Vines and R. Bonython, ffovemor and^assistant of the Plantation at Sa- 
co." Mr. Savage, tlie &\e editor or Winthrop's Journal, has skowa 
most conclusively, that tlie pretended deed was forged, at a much la- 
ter date, after the decease of the supposed grantee. The evidence 
drawn from the attestation of Vines & Bonython is, however, the least 
satisfactory. The inhabitants of *the Plantation at Saco' were evident- 
ly subject to a local jurisdiction (similar to that established at Exeter) 
at least as early as 1630, and perhaps earlier, before a general govern- 
ment existed, and who so likely to be their governor and assistant as 
▼aes and Bonython ? The mass of other testimony against the aa*- 



APPENDIX. 331 

thenticity of the Wheelwright deed, is sufficiently decisive. Another 
document in the same volume of Dr. Belknap, (a division of lands, 
&-C. ) is likewise spurious. 

E. p. 156. 

"Sept. 19, 1659. The declaration of Jane, the Indian^ of Scarhoro*, 

concerning Land. 

This aforesaid Jane, alias Uphannum, doth declare that her mother, 
namely, Nagaasqua, wife of Wickwarrawaske, Sagamore, and her 
brother, viz. Ugagoquskit, and herself, viz. Uphannum, coequally 
have sold unto Andrew Alger and his brother Artnur Alger, a tract of 
land beginning at the mouth of the river called Blue Point River, 
where the river doUi part, and so up along with the river called Owas- 
coage in Indian and so up 3 score poles above the falls on the one 
side, and on the other side bounded up along with the northernmost 
river that dreaneth by the great hill of Abram Jocelyn andgoeth north- 
ward bounding from the head of this River S. W. and so to the afore- 
said bounds, viz. 60 poles above the Falls : This aforesaid Uphannum 
doth declare that her mother and brother and she have already in hand . 

received full satisfaction of the aforesaid Alsors, for the aforesaid their ^ 

land from the beginning of the world to this day, provided that from 
time to time, from year to year yearly, the aforesaid Algers shall pea- 
ceably suffer Uphannum to plant m Andrew Alger's field so long as up- 
hannum and her mother Nagaasqua both live, and also one bushel of 
com for acknowledgement every year so long as they both shall live. 
Uphannum doth declare that the bargain was made m the year 1651, 
unto which she doth subscribe. In the presence of Cook, the day 
and date abovewritten, Jane an Indian woman did appear before me 
21 June, 1672, and acknowledge this instrument was the deed of her 
mother and herself. Before me, B. PENDLETON, Associate.'' 

Andrew Augur left in all six children, three sons and three daugh- 
ters, but the property chiefly descended to the heirs of John, the oldest 
son. ' 

F. p. 266. 

^nno Regni (L. S.) Regis Georgii Tertli Secundo. 

AN ACT for incorporating the East side of Saco river in the town of 
Biddeford into a separate District by the name of Pepperellboro'. 

Whereas the inhabitants on the east side of Saco river, in the town 
of Biddeford, in the County of York, have represented to this Court 
the great difficulties and inconveniences they labour under in their pre- 
sent situation, and have earnestly requested that they may be invested 
with the powers, privilcj^es and immunities of a District — Therefore, 

Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Representa- 
tives, That all the lands in the town of Biddeford lying on the east 
side of Saco River, in the County of York, together with an Island in 
the said River commonly called and known by the name of Indian Isl- 
and, be, and hereby is erected into a separate and distinct District by 
the name of Pepperellboro', bounded with the same bounds as the 
town of Biddeford now is on the east side of Saco river ; and that 

28 



333 APPENDIX* 

the said District be, and hereby is invested with all the privileges, 
powers and immunities that towns in this ProvincA by law do or may 
enjoy, that of sending a Representative to the General Assembly only 
excepted ; and that the said District shall have full liberty and right 
from time to time to join the Town of Biddeford in choosmg a Rep- 
resentative to represent them at the General Assembly, and shall be 
notified of the time and place of election in like manner with the in- 
habitants of the said Town of Biddeford, by a warrant from the Se- 
lectmen of the said town, directed to a Constable or Constables of the 
said District, requiring him or them to warn the inhabitants to attend 
the meeting at time and place assigned, which warrant shall be sea- 
sonably returned by the said Constable or Constables. And the Rep- 
resentative may be chosen indifferently from the said Town or District, 
the pay or allowance to be home by tne Town and District in propor- 
tion as they shall from time to time pay to the Province tax. Provided 
nevertheless, and be it further enacted, that the said District shall pay 
their proportion of all Town, County and Province taxes already set 
or granted to be raised on the Town of Biddeford aforesaid, as ir this 
act had not been made. 

And be it further enacted. That Risbworth Jordan, Es^. be, and 
hereby is empowered to issue his warrant to some principal mhabitant 
of said District, requiring him to notify and warn the mhabitants of 
said District, qualified by law to vote in town affairs, to meet at such 
time and piace as shall be therein set forth, to choose all such officers 
as shall be necessary to manage the affairs of said district. 

June 8, 1762. This Bill having been read three several times in 
the House of Representatives, passed to be enacted. 

TIM. RUGGLES, Speaker. 

June 9, 1762. This Bill having been read three several times ui 
Council, passed to be enacted. A. OLIVER, Secretary. 

June 9, 1762. By the Governor. I consent to the enacting this 
Bill. , FRA. BARNARD. 

A true Copy of the original Act, 

EDWARD D. BANGS, Sec'y of Commonwealth. 



Representativss of Biddeford in the General 

Court. 

1719, Capt. H. Scamman. 1721, Pendleton Fletch- 
er. 1747-9-5, Capt. Daniel Smith. 1754, Rev. Sami 
Hill, son-in-law of Capt. S. Jordan. Mr. Hill was settled 
a second time at Rociiester, N. H. 1760, where he died, 
1764. 1756-7, and 1760-1-2-3, SamuelJordan. 1766- 
7-9, and 1770-1-2, Jere. Hill, senior. 1768, Abraham 
Chase. 



IFPSNDIX. 333 

TOWN OFFICERS. 



SELECTBfEN OF BLDDEFORD. 

1717 — Andrew Brown, Rich, Stimson, H. Scamman* 

1718 — Eben. Hill, R. Stimson, H. Scamnoan. 

1719 — Ebenezer Hill, Benj, Haley, H. Scaraman. 

1720 — E. Hill, Pendleton Fletcher, H. Scamman. 

1721 — H. Scaoiman, Abraham Townsend, E. Hill. 

1722— A. Townsend, E. Hill, H. Scamman. 

1723 — H. Scamman, E. Hill, John Davis. 

1724-5 — H. Scamman, E. Hill, A. Townsend. 

1726 — E. Hill, A. Townsend, H. Scamman. 

1727— Sam'l Jordan, E. Hill. A. Townsend. 

1728 — Benj. Haley, A. Townsend, John Gordon. 

1729 — S. Jordan, Lt. John Stackpole, H. Scamman. 

1730 — H. Scamman, Capt. S. Jordan, J. Stackpole. 

1731 — H. Scamman, E. Hill, Richard Stimson. - 

1732-3-4— Records deficient. 

1735 — Rob. Patterson, Rob. Edgecomb, John Davis. 

1736— E. Hill, J. Davis, R. Patterson. 

1737-8-9 — John Gray, Esq. J. Stackpole, S. Jordan. 

1740- — S. Jordan, J. Stackpole, H. Scamman. 

1741 — E. Hill, S. Jordan, J. Stackpole. 

1742 — E. Hill, Rishworth Jordan, Samuel Scamman. 

1743 — J. Gray, S. Jordan, A. Townsend, R. Patter- 
son, J. Davis. 

1744— J. Gray, R. Jordan, E. Hill, R. Patterson, 
Robert Brooks. 

1745 — J. Gray, E. Hill, R. Patterson, R. Jordan, Do- 
minicus Scamman. 

1746 — R.Jordan, Tbos. Emery, Chrisp Bradbury, 
J. Stackpole, jr., S. Scamman, jr. 

1747— J. Gray, R. Jordan, R. Brooks, S. Scamman, 
jr., C. Bradbury. 

1748— J. Gray, Capt. Dan'l Smith, R. Jordan, C. 
Bradbury^ S. Scamman. 

1749 — J. Gray, J. Davis, R. Jordan, S. Scamman, jr. 
James Scamman. 

1750 — R. Jordan, S. Scamman, J. Scamman, Jos. 
Dyer, Jno. Stackpole, jr. 



394 AFPENDIX. 

1751 — R. Jordan, J. Scamman, S. Scamman, jr., J. 
~6tackpole, jr., Jos. Dyer. 

1752-3— R. Jordan, Esq., S. Scamman, jr., J. Scam- 
man, Jos. Dyer. 

1754 — R. Jordan, S. Scamman, jr., Trist. Jordan, J. 
Dyer. 

1755-6 — R. Jordan, S. Scamman, J. Dyer, T. Jor- 
dan, E. Hill, jr. 

1757-8 — Capt. T. Jordan, J. Dyer, Amos Chase, Benj. 
Hooper, Jere. Hill. 

1759 — J. Dyer, B. Hooper, J. Hill, A. Chase, Ebe- 
nezer Ayers. 

1760-1-2— S. Jordan, Capt. T. Jordan, A. Chase, J. 
Dyer, J. Hill. 

(Separation of the towns.) 

1763-4-5-6— R. Jordan, S. Jordan, J. Hill. 

1767 — R. Jordan, J. Hill, Benj. Nason. 

1 768-9-70— R. Jordan, J. Hill, B. Hooper. 

1771— R. Jordan, Obed Emery, E. Hill. 

1772-3-4- R. Jordan, J. Hill, Benj. Hooper. 

1775-6 — R. Jordan, Jos. Siimson, Allison Smith. 

1777 — R. Jordan, B. Hooper, B. Nason. 

1778 — A. Smith, R. Jordan, Jos. Morrill. 

1780 — John Dyer, A. Smith, B. Nason. 

1781 — R. Jordan, Capt. B. Hooper, James Emery. 

1782-3— R. Jordan, B. Hooper, A. Smith. 

1784-5 — A. Smith, John Dyer, Rob. Gillpatrick. 

1786-7— ^R. Jordan, B, Hooper, J. Emery. 

1788— A. Smith, R. Gillpatrick, Josiah Hill. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1717-34 — Humphry Scamman. 
1734-41 — Samuel Jordan. 
1741-80 — Rishworth Jordan. 
1780-88— Jeremiah Hill, Esq. 

SELECTMEN OF SACO. 

1762-6 — Trist. Jordan, Amos Chase, Rob. Patterson. 
1707-8— T. Jordan, T»»os. Cutts, Jos. Libby. 
1769 — T. Jordan, A. Chase, J. Libby. 
1770 — A. Chase, J. Libby, R. Patterson. 



APPENDIX. 325 

1771— T. Cutts, A. Chase, T. Jordan. 
1772-3 — A. Chase, T. Jordan, R. Patterson. 
1774-9 — A. Chase, T. Jordan, Dea. Sam'l Scamman. 
1780— M^. Humph, Pike, Rich. Burke, Rob. Carll. 
1781-3 — Dea. Sam'l Scamman, Rich. Burke, H. Pike. 
1784-6 — Dea. Sam'l Scamman, Col. Humph. Pike, 
Capt. Joseph Bradbury. 

1787 — Dea. S. Scamman, Col. H. Pike, S. Boothby. 
1788 — Dea. S. Scamman, James Coffin, H. Pike. 

TOWN CLERKS. 

1762-88— Tristram Jordan. 1788-96— Humph. Pike. 



. The Treasurers of Saco, from the incorporation to 
the present time, have been the following : Ebenezer Ay- 
er, 1762 to 1771 ; Col. Thomas Cutts, 1772 to 1793 ; 
Deacon Samuel Scamman, 1794 to 1814 ; Capt. Sam'l 
Moody, 1814 to 1819 ; Hon. William Moody, 1819 to 
1822 5 Daniel Granger, Esq. 1822 to 1824 ; Jonathan 
Tucker, jr. 1824 to 1830, The average tax for many 
years was iC 170, or $666 66 per annum. For the last 
ten years the town has raised about j(5000 annually, ex- 
clusive of the highway tax. 

29 




AbDITii^NS. 






X\h fbllowm^ d€(eudient,.wHii'wfaHhH;faB 'Writer Ves fcVc^d too 
) ate for its proper place, confirms the tri^th of \yhftt is^said ifi the fit'M 
part of this work, in relation to the grantees of tBie Plo^tigh ratebt. 

"T6 rAk tioH. 61:^. toVRt, yow siTtiii'G xx BplsfdV, fliEC. T^S : 

The htobfe {^eftlUton of J^reimiffh DtfMA^'r i^v^tb^ Thkt where- 
as your petitioner's father, Richard Dummer, deceased, was irhoUy 
entrusted with the Plough Patent) and the management of sundry 
concerns relating to the same,t)y virtue of a power derived from the 
patJ^niee!!. therein dibbtirded tfundry stifnib of i^dney/andii^^war^ 
the said ratent bein^ ordered home for England, the said Patentees, 
in consideration^of his, the said Richard Dumm'er's trouble and charge 
in the management of their cbhc'efns about said Patent, granted un- 
to him 800 and odd acres of land, which was laid out at Casco Bay^ 
M by tfvidences do aspjiear : 

. Your Petitioner therefore Inimbly prays, tl>at this hian. .Cour^ wHl 
ptease to c^mnrih the 'saili lands to the netrs of th^safd Ricbara Diim- 
bi^fr, \vHth bueh ^h addHioh 4te ilA hon. CituA taharll ^ itikht. S6 
^liall ke pniy,^&c. JEREMiAH DU%1IER." 



Thfi rehiark ^n^fed on p. 186, fi>om the argirmebt of HbA. Mr. ISilV- 
a^e against the authenticitjr of the Wheelwright deed, 'was lio^ A- 
I^Adea to have the latitude 'there given to it, as we are how satisfi^. 
f*h« d¥fi^ <if tbat pbH df the axi?u%«At ?s, that it %^(>crkrii 9h6i<ettrbl6 
that fiv^ mmi and i^^^fsrs shdcrtd be fonnd 6n « ]jartfi;tihir'iin6t fdr 
ten yea'rs after their first settlement in the country ; incredible ihhX 
their number should not have been I'dduceiilb^'d^ath or m^raiEum, or 
increased by fresh settlers. The general remark, ^4n no instance," 
&c. taken in this restricted sense, is by no means at variance with 
what is known respecting our colonists. 



It is stated p. 161, chap.xii., that some of the inhabitants removed 
in the time of Philip's war. By the kindness of a gentleman to 
whose friendly suggestions the writer has been often indebted, the 
following names of persons admitted inhabitants of Salem 1776, have 
been furnished : John Elson, Walter Mare, Arthur Wormstall, Wil- 
liam Frost, Arthur Hewes, Goodman Sille, Symeon Booth, Walter 
Penniwell, Gyles Ebbins [Hibbins], Elizabeth Wakefield, Humphry 
Case ; all, it appears, from Winter Harbor. 






CORRECTIONS. 



The reader is desired to make the following corrections : P. 27| 1. 
6,i6r'lmpef read lape or Jupe ; some editions of Hubbard have it Lnpe. 
P. 65, 1. 18 from bottom, it is wrongly stated that the son and jrrandson 
of Sir F. Gorges inherited his title. The error is repeated pp. 145 — 
802. For Benjamin, read Brian, p. 86,1. 13. Maj. Pendleton uniform- 
ly wrote t in his baptismal name, and not y. For rock read neck, p. 105, 
1. 10. In some copies, p. 128, 1. 6, for Edward, read Edmund ; and on 
same page, 1. 22, for Barton read Barlow. P. 130, 1. 3 from bottom, 
for 1675 read 1665. P. 164, 1. 34, for 1766 read 1676. P. 180, 1. 30, 
for 1655 read 1653. P. 182, 1. 5 from the bottom, for *^m the part of 
aneieri^ Pemo^iMct," &c. read, at a small settlement near the mouth 
of the Kennebec, now Phippsburg. Sir William T^as employed in 
shipbuilding in what is now Aim,, according to a tradition of the place. 
P. 201, 1. 13, the date of the first settlement at Pema(|uid should be 
1625. P. 239, 1. 14, the time of deacon HilPs decease is wrongly sta- 
ted—having been several years later. Being infirm, he resigned his 
office in the church that year (1748). P. 250, 1. 14 ; Mr. Foss married 
Olive Smith, not Cole, as there stated. P. 297, 1. 28, a few copies 
have 1703 instead of 1793, the true date. P. 315, I. 13, for and 
read et. . 




V 




NAMES OF SUBSCRIBERS IN SACO AND BIDDEFORD. 



SACO. 



Town of Saco, 100 copies 
Adams Augustus 
Adams George H. 
Adams John P. 
Adams John 
Andrews Asa 
Ayer TrFstram 
Banks Rafus, 2 
Banks Horace 
Berry John, Jr. 
Berry Joseph, Jr. 
Billings John J. 
Billings Hiram 
Boothhy Lemuel 
Boothby John, Jr. 
Bowers Nathaniel W. 
Bradley Jonas C* 
Brown Josiah 
Bryant John 
Bryant Joseph 
Buckminster David 
Burbank Nathaniel 
Calef Josiah 
Calef John 
Carlton Daniel W. 
Carter Edwin W. 
Chad wick John 
Clark Samuel 
Cleaves Ebenezer 
Cleaves John T. 
Cleaves Robert 
Cole Wm. Pepperell M. 
Cole Daniel 
Condon John 
Condon William J. 
Cotton Edward 
Cotts Charles F. 
Cutter Abraham 
Dearborn John C. 
Dearing Joseph, Jr. 
Dearinff William, Jr. 
Dodge Benjamin 
Ihrer Thomas, 3d 
EUis Thomas B. 
Emery Moses, 2 
Emerson Joseph 



Fairfield Seth S. 
Fairfield John, 2 
Fechem Samuel 
Fernald David 
Fogg Freedom 
For^oU Abraham 
Foss Thomas 
Fowler Thomas 
Frost William 
Gale Daniel, 2 
Goodwin Amos G. 
Goodale Enoch 
Gordon .Jeremiah 
Gookin David ^ 

Granger Daniel 
Granger Joseph 
Granger Daniel T. 
Graffam Josiah 
Gray James 
Green Reuben H. 
Greene Henry B. C. 2 
Greene Frederic, 2 
Green Ezra 
Green Christopher G. 
Haggens John 
Hale Edward 
Haley Alvan 
Hartley John F. 2 
Hayes Joseph M. 
Hayes Charles 
Hersey Abel 
Higbt Elisha ^ 
Hill Ichabod 
Hill Samuel 
Hill Waldo, jr. 
Hopkinson Nathan 
Howard Edward F. 
Huntress Mark 
Jameson Robert 
Johnson Samuel 
Johnson John 
Johnson Charles C. P. 
Jordan Tristram . 
Jordan Ichabod 
Jordan Samuel S. 
Jordan Tristram, jr. 



*Died July 30, 1829. 




330 



Jordan James C. 
Jordan Icbabod G. 
Kendall Jonas 
King Jonathan, 2 
Knight l£ilwacd. 
Leavitt Hill 
Leland Joseph 
Leland Joseph W. 
Leonard Barnum 
Lincoln William 
Livingston Luther IX 
Littlefield Stephen, 2 
McKenney Samuel 
Mellen John P . 
Milliken Nathaniel 
Milliken Edward, jr. 
Mixer Charles T. 
Moody Edmund* 
Moody Samuel, 3^ 
Moody Enoch 
Moody Oliver 
Moody Richard 
Moore Nathan 
;^ouIton Edward S. 
Nichols Rufus 
Odiorne Thomas G. 
Packard Georffe 
Packard Hezekiah, jr. 
Patterson Robert 
Patterson Benjamin 
Parcheir George 
Perkins Horatio N. 
Pike Benjamin 
Pike Elias 

Putnam Alexander C. 
Rice Samuel 
Rice Lawson 
Richards John K. 
Rogers Robert, 2 
Ross James L. 
Rumery James S. 
Sawyer Mrs. Margery 
Sawyer Stephen 
Sawyer Noah 



Sawyer Joel 
Sawyer James 
Sawyer Henry 
Scammati Nicholas 
Scammaifi Aaron 
Scamman George, 2 
Scamjnan John r. 
Scamman Willian^ 
Scamman S^phea 
Scamman Richard 
Scamman Frederic 
Scamman Andrew 
Scamman Samuel F. 
Shed Zachariah 
Shepley Ether, 2 
Shepley John 
Shannon Thomas W. 
Simpson Benjamin 
Si Ilea John 
Smith Alfred 
Spring John 
Spring Lewis M. 
Staples Jeremiah 
Storer Joseph C 2 
Sutherland George 
Thacher George, 2 
Thornton Mrs. Sarah 
Thornton James B. 
Thorn Greenleaf 
Tucker Jona. 
Tucker Jona. jr. 5 
Tucker Gideon 
Tucker Henry 
Tucker Nathaniel S. 
'Tufts Thomas P. 
Tyler Abraham 
Ward Lauriston 
Warren Thomas 
Waterhouse Isaac 
Washbourn Timothyi 
Winkley Francis 
Wood Ephraim 
Woodward Elkanah 9- 



BIDDEFORD. 




Town of Biddiford, 50 cppies Buker Carver 

Adams Charlei^ Cleaves Daniel 

Ayer Alvan Br Coffin Edmund 

Bradbury Moses, jr. Cole Jacob K. 

Bradbury Onesiphoru? Cole Samuel 

Bettes Jeremiah Cutts Thomas, 2 

''Died October 4, 1829. 



331 



Cutts Dominicus, 2 
Dame Ivory 
Dean Ezra 
Deshon Daniel 
Drew Aaron 
Emery Isaac 
Emery Samuel 
Emery John P. 
Goodenow William 
Goodrich Aaron, jr. 
Holraan Daniel 
Hooper William P. 
Hooper Daniel S. 
Hussey Christopher 
Jordan Ralph Tristram 
Knox James 
Lassell Israel 



Locke Jesse 
Lowell Harrison 
Marsh Christopher 
Maxwell Marshall 9. 
Merrill Samuel 
Nason John 
Palfrey Georga 
Smith Thomas 
Spring Seth 
Staples John 
Tarbox Andrew 
Thacher Mrs. Sarah S. 5 
Thacher Henrv S. 5 
Thacher Josiah 
White Samuel 
Whitney Luke 
Whitaker John F. 



.1 




* 



! 



V 



« ■» 




i 



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The borrower must return this item on or before 
the last date stamped below. If another user 
places a recall for this item, the borrower will 
be notified of the need for an earlier remm. 

Non-receipt of overdue notices does not exempt 
the borrower from overdue fines. 



Harvard College Widener Library 
Cambridge, MA 02138 617-495-2413 




Please handle with care. 

Thanic you for helping to preserve 
library collections at Harvard.